Students in Pinellas County will have to make adjustments this fall.
- Pinellas schools votes to change school times
- Elementary, middle and high school times will shift
- Pinellas County schools
The school board voted Tuesday to shift start and end times for students. The measure to change times passed 6-1.
High schools would see start times shift from 7:05 a.m. to 7:20 a.m. Gibbs, Lakewood, Dixie Hollins and Boca Ciega high schools, however, will not change start or end times.
Middle schools would push back starting times 10 minutes to 9:40 a.m.
And elementary schools would begin classes at 8:45 a.m.
"There will be no further hearings," said Lisa Wolf, the school system's public information officer. "But we will work with a consultant to see if there are any additional adjustments we can make beyond the 2018-19 school year."
According to the school board agenda, the approval of the bell times is essential in order to allow families, staff, and the district to prepare for the 2018-2019 school year.
School officials said changing the opening and closing times will have an additional estimated cost of $900,000 to the district as new buses and drivers will be needed.