On March 11, the Board of Education approved a bell time adjustment proposal that affects 59 schools and results in a $2.9 million savings to the district. The change will take effect in September, at the opening of the 2008-2009 school year.

We understand these changes may be inconvenient or less than ideal for some families and staff. District officials have worked hard to minimize impact wherever possible. The benefits of this change include:

• It will save the district nearly $3 million, which equates to 35 teaching positions; 34 counselors; 6,473 days of supplemental instruction; or $2.9 million in instructional supplies for our children.
• Instruction time will not be impacted and students will continue to meet instructional minute standards. In most cases, bell time changes are less than 30 minutes.
• At least 36 costly private contractor buses and under-utilized bus routes will be eliminated.
• The bell time adjustments will help avoid further staff lay-offs, save money that can be directed to the classroom, and create efficiency with school transportation while maintaining a full day of learning for our students every day of the school week.

The district cannot easily alter bell times for any one school without jeopardizing the entire package of planned savings. The list of the elementary and secondary schools affected by the change and their revised bell times are posted on the Transportation website.