Potential later start times for schools in Lee County

Florida is looking at forcing some schools to start later with the intention of improving students’ grades and academic performance.

The bill would prevent public middle schools from starting before 8 a.m. and high schools before 8:30 a.m.

Some parents think it’s a great idea, and some even mentioned a later start time could improve safety with kids not walking to bus stops in the dark. But other parents are fine with the way things currently are and said a later start time would affect their jobs.

Florida lawmakers want to make students starting school later a reality, but it wouldn’t take effect until 2026.

“My daughter is already on the latest (start time). We start at 9:30 a.m. She gets off the bus at 5:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m. So, to me personally, I mean, I don’t see any benefit,” Cape Coral resident Dustin M. said.

Parents are taking notice, and so is the Lee County School District.

A spokesperson told WINK News a new program they’re rolling out, the Elementary Proximity Program could eventually open the door to altering start times for students in the district. Parents with kids in elementary school would have to provide their own transportation if the kids don’t attend a school within their zone.

More efficient transportation is expected to cut travel times and could alter start times, including pushing back the 7:05 a.m. start time for high schoolers.

“We live six miles away from the school, and my husband has to leave 7:10, 7:15 at the latest because traffic is backed up all the way 82, all the way down Lee Boulevard and Colonial like it’s insane,” Lee County resident Mayra Harter said.

While some parents think a later start time would help them avoid the morning rush, others, like Fort Myers resident Logan Hepner, said it will negatively affect their work.

“Everybody’s on the road, hitting the pavement, making phone calls, having the meetings at 8:00 a.m., so, you know, if I have to schedule around the kids, obviously my company would be semi-lenient and ok with it, but I like to get things going on time,” Hepner said.

Some parents told WINK News they know how valuable sleep is, especially to kids, and they see the plan as a positive.

And one parent pointed out a later start time would also mean that kids no longer have to walk to bus stops in the dark.

“My granddaughter is 17 years old and she’s been walking to the bus stop since she was younger. And it’s very early, it’s dark outside. I think it’s extremely dangerous,” Lee County resident Natasha Diaz said.

Open enrollment for the Elementary Proximity Program is only open through Friday. The program takes effect in August 2023, with middle schools in the district following the plan in 2024.

That’s separate from whatever state lawmakers decide.

To be totally clear, the deadline to choose an elementary school for next school year in Lee County is Friday. All Lee County parents of students in grades Kindergarten to eighth grade need to be sure your school is in your new smaller “proximity zone.”

If the school isn’t in your new smaller “proximity zone,” you can either keep your child there and drive them yourself or get into the lottery to be assigned a school closer to home.

If your child is “out of zone” and you don’t respond, they will be re-assigned to a school in their new zone.

Click here to find out more information about open enrollment for elementary schools.