A state law that hits the snooze button on early starts for students in middle schools and high schools by August 2026 was pitched as improving attendance, concentration and mental health.
However, actually configuring a schedule to please all folks affected will prove challenging, if a community-input meeting in Wellington on Thursday, Sept. 12 is any indication.
Early results from more than 12,000 surveys show a virtual tie among three local options for a new schedule, including one that starts elementary school students at 7:30 a.m., said Joseph Sanches, chief operating officer of the School District of Palm Beach County.
Parent Alishia Phillips asked why the law does not seem to worry about early starts for elementary school students, who might begin their transportation process in the dark under one scenario.
“Why weren’t we asked for our opinions before these changes were made?” asked parent Justina Mann, referring to passage of the state law, adding that it makes life difficult for parents trying to coordinate sports and work schedules.
The meeting at Wellington High School, attended by about 50 people, emphasized that school officials are trying to follow the law, which is House Bill 733 (2023). It requires that all middle schools begin no earlier than 8 a.m. and all high schools start no earlier than 8:30 a.m.
That shakes things up in Palm Beach County, where the most common high school start time is currently 7:30 a.m., according to district officials.
There has been talk of urging legislators to undo the law in the spring session before it takes effect. If that does not happen, officials will have to settle on a plan.
Three options have been proposed locally, without any endorsement or preference in their order, according to the school district.
Option 1 sets elementary school hours from 7:30 a.m. to 1:35 p.m., meaning the day really starts well before that to arrive a recommended 20 minutes before classes start, so as to allow for school breakfast or traffic delays. High schools would then run from 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., and middle schools from 10:15 a.m. to 4:50 p.m.
Option 2 sees middle schools in operation from 8 a.m. to 2:35 p.m., high schools from 9:15 a.m. to 4:35 p.m., and elementary schools from 9:45 a.m. to 3:50 p.m.
Option 3 sets high schools from 8:30 a.m. to 3:50 p.m., elementary schools from 9 a.m. to 3:05 p.m., and middle schools from 10:20 a.m. to 4:55 p.m.
All options carry big implications for bus schedules, parents’ before-care and after-care arrangements, rush-hour traffic, athletic and after-school activities, as well as older students’ part-time jobs and training.
“It seems each of these options is insufficient,” Wellington Vice Mayor John McGovern said.
Other ideas thrown out by attendees included extending the school calendar to shorten the average day or eliminating some class periods for electives not necessary for graduation.
The Wellington meeting was the first of six community-input sessions planned around the county through October. The second was held at Palm Beach Gardens High School on Thursday, Sept. 19.
Upcoming sessions are scheduled for Monday, Sept. 23 at 5:30 p.m. at Glades Central High School in Belle Glade; Monday, Sept. 30 at 5:30 p.m. at Atlantic High School in Delray Beach; Monday, Oct. 7 at 5:30 p.m. at Park Vista High School in suburban Lake Worth; and Thursday, Oct. 10 at 5:30 p.m. at Forest Hill High School in West Palm Beach.
If the law remains in effect, the Palm Beach County School Board would need to choose a schedule in 2025 to be implemented in August 2026.
To complete the school-district survey on school start preferences, visit http://l.sdpbc.net/dnwqy.
To learn more, visit www.palmbeachschools.org/newstarttimes.
