Marion County board hears principals' requests to tweak school bell schedules, asks staff to model Osceola alternatives

Superintendent Diane Gullett opened an April 17 Marion County School Board work session briefing on recommended start–stop bell times for the 2025–26 school year, saying the proposals came from principals, not transportation staff, and that principals were present to answer questions.

The district’s scheduling committee — made up of elementary, middle and high school principals, principal supervisors and transportation staff — recommended continuing the district’s three-tier bell system and presented specific changes: two new elementary schools (referred to as School W and School X) would follow typical elementary hours (7:35 a.m.–2:10 p.m.); Madison Street Elementary would add 10 minutes to student day (dismissal to 2:30 p.m.); Lake Weir High would begin five minutes later; and Osceola Middle was recommended to change dismissal from 3:55 p.m. to 4:11 p.m. to support a move to a seven-period day. Howard Middle and North Marion Middle requested moves from a seventh-period…