School District adjusts bell times for improved bus efficiency and added routes

The North East Independent School District (NEISD) Board convened on April 14, 2025, to discuss potential changes to school bus transportation for the 2025-2026 academic year. The primary focus of the meeting was the proposed adjustment of bell times across elementary, middle, and high school campuses.

The board proposed a 5-minute adjustment to the bell schedule for all school levels. For early elementary schools, the start time would shift from 7:30 AM to 7:25 AM, with dismissal moving from 2:45 PM to 2:40 PM. Middle schools would see a change from an 8:25 AM start to 8:30 AM, extending the school day to 3:45 PM. High schools would adjust their start time from 8:50 AM to 8:55 AM, with dismissal changing from 4:15 PM to 4:20 PM. The late elementary schools would remain unchanged.

These adjustments aim to enhance the efficiency of school bus routes. The additional 10 minutes between the elementary and middle school schedules is expected to allow for more bus stops to be added, which could lead to the elimination of at least three morning routes and two afternoon routes across the district. This change is anticipated to improve the on-time arrival rate for students.

Furthermore, the Northeast Alternative Center (NEAC) will align its schedule with the high school, moving from a current schedule of 8:35 AM to 4:00 PM to 8:55 AM to 4:20 PM. This alignment will enable buses to manage three tiers of transportation, facilitating better coordination between elementary, middle, and high school pickups and drop-offs.

Overall, the proposed changes are designed to streamline transportation logistics, reduce the number of bus routes, and improve service efficiency for NEISD students. The board will continue to evaluate these proposals and their potential impact on the school community.