Lee County, Florida, July 30, 2025
News Summary
Lee County, Florida, has announced changes to school start times under the Safe Start Initiative, aimed at resolving bus delays and enhancing student achievement. Elementary schools will now begin at 8:40 a.m., while high schools and middle schools will see minimal changes. This initiative responds to reports of thousands of students missing classes due to transportation issues. Parents express concerns about childcare costs and the reliability of bus services as the district works to recruit more drivers and streamline transport systems.
Lee County, Florida has announced changes to school start times as part of the Safe Start Initiative aimed at addressing ongoing bus delays and enhancing student achievement. Under the new schedule, elementary schools will begin classes at 8:40 a.m., nearly an hour later than the previous start times, while high schools and middle schools will see minimal changes to their schedules.
These alterations come in response to reports that up to 8,000 students regularly missed first period due to late buses, and an alarming 18,000 students were dropped off at home considerably after school ended. Parents have expressed concerns regarding the reliability of the transportation system, highlighting the urgency of this initiative.
Impact on Families
Some Lee County families, like Carole Dean’s, who has three children attending different schools, are preparing to adjust their schedules under the new timing. This change may lead to additional childcare costs, estimated at around $125 a week. Other parents, such as Cary Colon, reported instances where their older children were not picked up by the bus, raising concerns regarding the efficiency of Lee County Transportation.
Transportation Challenges
The district has been facing significant challenges, including a bus driver shortage that has contributed to route disruptions and delayed arrivals. To alleviate this problem, the district is hosting a bus driver fair and adjusting school start times to streamline transportation. Efforts to recruit new drivers include offering free training for potential hires without commercial licenses, as well as providing full-time positions with benefits and flexible schedules.
Despite the newly established start times, the district acknowledges that delays may persist until additional drivers are hired. The Safe Start Initiative aims to transition from a four-tier bus system to a three-tier system, enhancing both efficiency and safety within student transportation.
Changes to School Schedule
With the new initiative, high school classes will be extended to 49 minutes, and all schools will adopt 30-minute lunch periods. High school students will now be dismissed at 2:00 p.m., which is expected to add approximately 42 hours of instruction annually.
The development of this initiative was guided by feedback from principals, staff, and community meetings, emphasizing the importance of aligning pick-up and drop-off times with the existing schedules due to the continuing bus driver shortage. The district hopes that by reducing the number of start times, it can mitigate transportation issues and improve student learning conditions.
Future Expectations
Although the Safe Start Initiative is projected to have no immediate fiscal impact, it might influence the transportation budget in the fiscal year 2026. To facilitate this transition, the district will regularly update families regarding changes and monitor the implementation closely, ready to make adjustments as necessary once the new system is in effect.
Conclusion
The adjustments in school start times are a strategic response to long-standing issues affecting the transportation system in Lee County. As the district implements these changes, it aims to strengthen educational outcomes while addressing the logistical challenges parents and students currently face.
FAQ Section
FAQ
What are the new start times for Lee County Schools?
Elementary schools will start at 8:40 a.m., while high schools and middle schools will see little change in their start times.
What prompted the change in school start times?
The change aims to address ongoing school bus delays and improve student achievement.
How did transportation issues affect students before this change?
Last year, 8,000 students regularly missed first period due to late buses, and 18,000 were dropped off at home after school ended.
What is the Safe Start Initiative?
The initiative is a program approved to transition from a four-tier to a three-tier bus system to improve efficiency and safety.
Will there be additional costs for families due to the schedule change?
Some families may incur additional childcare costs, which can amount to approximately $125 a week.
Key Features Chart
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| New Elementary Start Time | 8:40 a.m. |
| Number of Students Missing First Period | 8,000 |
| Students Dropped Off Late | 18,000 |
| Additional Childcare Cost for Families | $125/week |
| Extended High School Class Duration | 49 minutes |
| Added Instruction Hours Annually | 42 hours |
| Transition to Three-Tier Bus System | Yes |
| Fiscal Impact Timing | Potential effect in fiscal year 2026 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
UMass Chan Medical School Launches Accelerated MD Track
Cultural Events Galore in Phoenix This Week
LAUSD Implements Full-Day Tech Ban for Students
AZ Big Podcast Explores Trends in Office Design
Top Public Middle Schools in Phoenix Metro Area Revealed
Arizona Schools Face Funding Delays as New Academic Year Starts
Arizona Schools Implement New Cell Phone Regulations
Phoenix Rescue Mission Launches Code:Red Heat Relief Campaign
Memorial Day Events and Traffic Improvements in Phoenix
Circle K Announces Fuel Day with Discounts and Charity Support
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
