Jacksonville, FL — The St. Johns County School Board has approved a change in class hours for next school year that will bring change for all students, parents and teachers.
The biggest impact will be in the middle schools, which will start 20 minutes earlier and dismiss 10 minutes earlier (7:30 a.m. start; 1:50 p.m. dismissal).
Elementary schools and K-8 schools will start and end the day five minutes earlier (8:25 a.m. start; 2:45 p.m. dismissal).
High schools will start and end the day five minutes later (9:20 a.m. start; 3:50 p.m. dismissal).
Superintendent Tim Forson said rapid growth over the past decade has led to significantly longer transit times to and from school, as well as near continuous school construction and expansion.
“We’re seeing children get in, into school late, and we have to do a better job of protecting the instruction day.” Forson said.
For parents who might be concerned about the disruption Forson said the change will be minimal.
“We’re in the same order, the same bus routes will exist. The change will just be minutes and time.” Forson said.
Forson said the change will help some students get a better start to their day.
In the 2017-2018 school year the district began reviewing school arrival and dismissal operations which included a working group of educators, administrators and subject matter experts.
Between October of last year and this February the working group developed and reviewed several options, which led to the recommendations that were approved today.
Breakdown of changes:
— Elizabeth Pace (@PaceAnJax) March 12, 2019
▶️Elementary/K-8 Schools will start 5 minutes earlier at 8:25 a.m.
▶️Middle Schools will start *20 minutes earlier at 7:30 a.m.
▶️ High Schools will start 5 minutes *later at 9:20 a.m.
BREAKING: St. Johns County School District approves new school start and end times beginning next school year. @WOKVNews @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/B51U1s78GB
— Steven Ponson (@steven_ponson) March 12, 2019
#NEW SJC School Board voted to change school arrival and dismissal times, taking effect next school year. @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews pic.twitter.com/PwnPNTjDAu
— Elizabeth Pace (@PaceAnJax) March 12, 2019