Lee County, Florida, July 30, 2025
News Summary
The Lee County School District has unveiled new school start times as part of the Safe Start Initiative aimed at reducing bus delays and improving student performance. Elementary schools will now start at 8:40 a.m., which is nearly an hour later than before. High schools and middle schools will see slight adjustments. The initiative also aims to streamline transportation and address ongoing bus driver shortages through recruitment efforts. These changes are based on feedback from the community to enhance the educational experience for students.
Lee County, Florida – The Lee County School District has implemented new school start times as part of the Safe Start Initiative to address persistent issues with school bus delays and enhance student achievement. Beginning in the upcoming academic year, elementary schools will begin at 8:40 a.m., which is nearly an hour later than previous schedules. High schools and middle schools will see minimal changes in their start times, as the district aims to optimize transportation and learning environments for all students.
Last year, buses regularly dropped off approximately 8,000 students late to first period, while around 18,000 students experienced delays in getting home after school. These delays have caused growing concerns among parents about the reliability of the transportation system, leading to frustration and additional costs. For example, a parent with three children in different schools reported needing to adjust their schedule and may incur child care expenses of about $125 per week due to the changes.
As part of these adjustments, the district plans to reduce the number of different school start times from four tiers to three, thus minimizing transportation issues. Although these new start times are expected to help, the district is currently facing a bus driver shortage that has disrupted existing routes and caused further delays. To combat this shortage, the district is organizing a bus driver fair and is offering free training for potential drivers who do not possess a commercial license. Full-time positions will include benefits and flexible schedules designed to attract new hires.
Parents have expressed their concerns regarding the reliability of the transportation services in the community. Reports have surfaced of older children not being picked up as scheduled, highlighting the urgency of addressing these operational challenges within the school district.
The Safe Start Initiative was developed based on input from principals, staff, and community meetings. As part of this initiative, high school classes will be extended to 49 minutes, with all schools adopting uniform 30-minute lunch periods. High school students will now be dismissed at 2:00 p.m., which will result in approximately 42 additional hours of instruction per academic year.
David Newlan, Chief of Safety for the district, underscored the importance of aligning pick-up and drop-off times with the new schedules amidst the ongoing bus driver shortage. It is anticipated that these changes will not only decrease wait times at bus stops but also create better learning conditions for students.
While the initiative is not expected to have any immediate fiscal impact, it may affect the transportation budget in the fiscal year 2026. The district plans to keep families informed with regular updates as they transition to the new schedules and will monitor the implementation closely to make necessary adjustments once the new system is in place.
The Safe Start Initiative reflects a concerted effort by Lee County Schools to improve student experiences and address ongoing logistical challenges. As families adapt to the new timings, the district remains focused on ensuring students receive a quality education within a dependable transportation framework.
FAQ Section
What are the new start times for schools in Lee County?
Elementary schools will now start at 8:40 a.m., while high schools and middle schools will see minimal changes in their schedules.
What issues prompted the change in school start times?
The changes were driven by ongoing school bus delays, with 8,000 students missing first period regularly and 18,000 students being dropped off late at home.
What measures is the district taking to address the bus driver shortage?
The district is hosting a bus driver fair, providing free training for potential drivers, and offering full-time roles with benefits and flexible schedules.
How will these changes impact high school students?
High school students will have longer class periods of 49 minutes and will be dismissed at 2:00 p.m., resulting in more instructional time each year.
Key Features of Safe Start Initiative
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| New Elementary Start Time | 8:40 a.m. |
| High School Dismissal Time | 2:00 p.m. |
| Additional Instruction Time | 42 hours per year |
| High School Class Duration | 49 minutes |
| Uniform Lunch Period | 30 minutes |
| Transportation Budget Impact | Possible effect starting FY 2026 |
| Bus Driver Recruitment Efforts | Driver fair, free training, flexible full-time positions |
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Additional Resources
- Wink News: Lee County School District Offers Free Training to Tackle Ongoing Bus Driver Shortage
- Fox 4 Now: Lee County School Might Start/End at Different Time Next Year
- Gulfshore Business: Lee County School District to Host Transportation Job Fair
- News Press: New Bus Route Bell Schedules Passed for Lee County Schools
- Captiva Sanibel: School Board Approves New Bell Times
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