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Kenmore-Tonawanda studies bell‑time changes to ease arrival and dismissal safety issues; no change yet
Summary
District leaders described a study of school start‑ and end‑time shifts to ease arrival and dismissal congestion and improve supervision; superintendent said no decision has been made and any change would be communicated promptly to families.
Superintendent Zamato told the board Tuesday that the district is studying changes to school bell times to address traffic, bus routing and supervision issues but emphasized that no decision has been made.
“Nothing has happened yet with Bell Times next year,” Zamato said, describing the discussion as an ongoing review of how start and end times affect arrival, dismissal, transportation and after‑school supervision. He said the district and staff unions began conversations about safety and prevention, then broadened the review to consider structural timing problems at large campus complexes.
Zamato described why the district is examining staggered schedules: elementary‑level routes generate the highest bus density, and current routing schedules leave elementary and middle‑school runs coupled in ways that delay afternoon bus service and extend adult supervision needs. He said the district’s preliminary proposal would leave elementary start times unchanged, move high schools about 39 minutes later and shift middle schools about 21 minutes earlier to decouple the largest routes and reduce overlap.
Zamato framed the proposal as tentative and operational: “If when we get to the point that we know, it is our best thinking and it's a done deal. You will be the first to know,” he said. He asked for further input from staff, unions and families and promised prompt notice if the board decides to proceed.
Parents and staff who spoke during public comment warned of impacts on after‑school activities, childcare and work schedules if times change without adequate lead time. Teresa Chinchetti, a parent, told the board her eighth‑grade daughter participates in clubs and sports and worried later dismissals would crowd evenings and complicate family schedules. Amanda Harris, a district substitute teacher and parent, said short notice would make childcare unaffordable for some district employees and urged the district to give families ample advance notice if a change is adopted.
District leaders said they will continue internal review and stakeholder engagement; no formal motion or vote on bell times occurred at the meeting.
