The Hillsborough County School Board approved a proposed change to the district's bell schedule Tuesday meant to allow more time between high school, elementary and middle school start times in order to help students get to class on time.
- Changes tentatively go into effect in 2018-2019
- Current bell schedule only allowed 27 minutes between start times
- High school students will be dismissed nearly an hour earlier
According to school board officials, the new bell times are tentatively scheduled to go into effect for the 2018-2019 school year. Superintendent Jeff Eakins recommended waiting one year before making district-wide changes in order to allow parents and families ample time to adjust to a new schedule.
The school board maintains that the current bell schedule does not provide enough time between high school, elementary and middle school start times for students to get to class on time. While the standard time between bell times is between 55-75 minutes in most Florida school districts, in Hillsborough County that span was only 27 minutes.
The new schedule will mean significant changes for all three school levels at the end of the school day. School board officials said high school students will end up being dismissed nearly an hour earlier, allowing for them to start homework earlier, get to athletic practice or start jobs earlier.
Elementary students, meanwhile, are expected to gain an extra 15 minutes of art, music, and PE. Middle school students will retain a 7-period class day, allowing them to take more elective classes.
In addition, the district plans to offer HOST (before and after school care) at all elementary and middle school levels, starting at about $12 per week.
The school board estimates that the changes and the expected improved efficiency will redirect $2.5 million from transportation back into supporting classroom instruction.
The change was approved by a 6-to-1 vote.