JCPS board members set to choose new start times for dozens of schools
Regan Paige, a Jefferson County Public School parent, drew a blank when asked recently what she will do next year if her daughter's school moves to a far later start time. She hasn't thought of a single backup option — aside from moving to another school district.
Board of Education members are set to choose between two new bell schedules during Tuesday's meeting and Paige, along with countless other families, are hoping they choose the first scenario, which keeps more schools at their current start time.
Paige's daughter is a third grader at Smyrna Elementary in southeast Louisville, which currently starts at 7:40 a.m. The second scenario — which appeals to some board members because it promises more efficiency with busing routes — would move Smyrna to the latest time slot of 9:40 a.m.
"The biggest issue is that I have to be at work at 8 and I work in downtown Louisville," Paige said. "I’m already late to work by taking her to school, but only by 15 minutes, so it's not a big deal."
Financially, morning daycare isn't an option, nor is a later work schedule because she has multiple mandatory 9 a.m. meetings throughout the week, she said.
Given many parents have to work in the morning, Paige questioned why the board would choose to have so many elementary-aged kids at the latest start time rather than older students who can be home alone.
"I get that high schoolers have sports and stuff but my 9-year-old — I can’t leave her at home by herself and expect her to get herself on the bus," Paige said "I'm just not comfortable with that and it doesn't make sense to me to have the young ones being by themselves."
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If Smyrna is moved to 9:40 a.m. — which would be its third consecutive year starting at a new time — Paige said she will likely move.
"I would almost rather move out of Jefferson County," than have the new start time, she said.
How do the two scenarios compare?
In both scenarios board members are weighing, more elementary schools will start at 9:40 a.m., though the second scenario moves a greater number of new schools into this slot.
Board member James Craig, who represents much of east Louisville including several of the schools that would move to later start times, said he likely won't vote for the second scenario but is waiting to hear Superintendent Marty Pollio's recommendation.
"Moving a significant number of elementary schools to later start times would have negative impacts on student outcomes," Craig said. "I don't want that for any schools but especially my East End elementary schools."
It is unclear which scenario Pollio will recommend to the board, though he has said the second scenario would be "more sustainable" to maintain in later school years.
Currently, 40 elementary schools start at 9:40 a.m., and seven others start at 9:30 a.m. Here's a look at how the two scenarios differ in terms of how many elementary schools have a significant change to start times:
Scenario 1:
Total elementary schools starting at 9:40 a.m.: 58
New elementary schools moving into the time slot: 20
Scenario 2:
Total elementary schools starting at 9:40 a.m.: 57
New elementary schools moving into the time slot: 29
Beyond concerns for the district's youngest students, Scenario 2 is poised to disrupt far more household schedules. Scenario 1 shifts 48 schools into a new time slot while the second scenario would shift 86.
Board member Sarah McIntosh told The Courier Journal she is struggling to decide how to vote. On social media, she said her vote will be based on "creating the least amount of community disruption possible, getting the greatest number of students to school on time, and implementing consistent and sustainable services."
Achieving each of those factors, though, seems unlikely with the choices the board has been given.
Scenario 1 would fix "major pain points" in the current system and would increase the rate of students getting to and from school on time, but it has less emphasis on geographic regions than the other scenario, which will cause driver fatigue. This is problematic because JCPS is already struggling with a driver shortage and many current drivers are nearing retirement age.
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Additionally, the first scenario would only have 20% to 30% of routes mirrored — meaning students ride the same bus with the same driver in the morning and afternoon — and students would get home later than if the board chooses the second scenario.
Board member Chris Kolb said he is leaning toward the second scenario, though he "will have some questions I'd like answered before committing to vote a certain way."
Other board members did not respond to questions about their upcoming vote. The board meets at the Van Hoose Center at 6 p.m., 3332 Newburg Road.
For families who would like to switch schools due to a changed start time, JCPS' transfer opened Monday. Applications can be submitted online, with directions on the district's website. Families without internet access can call the Office of School Choice at (502) 485-6250 for assistance.
Contact Krista Johnson at kjohnson3@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: JCPS board members set to choose new start times for dozens of schools
