Lee County schools change start times to fix bus delays, parents adjust
By Cristina Pop
The Safe Start Initiative is changing school start times across Lee County in an effort to address ongoing school bus delays.
Elementary schools will now begin at 8:40 a.m., nearly an hour later than before, while high schools and middle schools will see little change.
Carole Dean, a Lee County parent, is adjusting to the new schedule with her three children attending different schools. "My oldest is starting high school, my middle daughter’s in middle school, and my youngest is in elementary, so I’m gonna be all over the place," Dean said.
Last year, the district reported that 8,000 students regularly missed first period due to late buses, and another 18,000 were dropped off at home well after the school day ended.
ary Colon, another Lee County parent, shared concerns about the transportation system.
"I used to have her on the bus, and the Lee County Transportation is not very good. There's been moments where my older kids that do go to, like middle school and high school, they don't get picked up," Colon said.
The district aims to reduce these issues by having fewer start times. However, parents like Dean are now relying on childcare to accommodate the new schedule.
"I believe, for the morning ones, minimum, $50, and then I will probably have to put my elementary schooler in aftercare, and that's about $75 a week. So, approximately about $125 a week, and just for before and aftercare," Dean said.
Dean supports the initiative as long as it proves effective.
"As long as Lee County is trying to figure out an easier system for everybody, parents, teachers, we’ll see how it goes," she said.
The district plans to monitor the situation once school starts and adjust accordingly for the next school year.