LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Days after announcing proposed school start time changes, Jefferson County Public Schools is giving the community the chance to weigh in.
The “Smart Start” proposal would create eight start times from 7:40 a.m. to 9:40 a.m. for students in kindergarten through 12th grade and a start time of 10:40 a.m. for early childhood students. The dismissals would be from 2:20 p.m. to 4:20 p.m. for kindergarten through 12th grade while early childhood would dismiss at 5:20 p.m.
During the meeting, Superintendent Marty Pollio said the change will not only reduce the number of bus routes but also give students more time to sleep.
He also addressed the community's concerns about sports and other extra-curricular activities.
"I just don't see a major change. I believe a neighboring county that we border finishes school at 3:45, close to 4:00. They still continue to have extra-curricular activities," he said. "Most of our games, if not all of our games begin at 5:00 or later. Finishing at 3:20 gives plenty of time to continue that."
JCPS said their reasoning behind the proposal is due to late buses due to a bus driver shortage. They believe more than 20,000 students have missed school so far this year because of it.
John Stovall, president of Teamsters Local 783, told WHAS11 News on Feb. 15 that the plan may help ease the burden on bus drivers.
"A lot of the bus drivers get burnt out, and now on top of that they're working 11 to 12 hours a day because they're having double shifts, triple shifts, to cover and make sure the kids get picked up," Stovall said. "And unfortunately, they get the brunt of the anger from the parents in the public."
Pollio is expected to present the proposal to the JCPS Board of Education in March. If approved, the start times would begin next school year.
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