Magnolia ISD shifts elementary dismissal, studies bell-time changes amid driver shortage

Magnolia Independent School District officials told the school board on Thursday they have adjusted a proposed elementary dismissal time and will continue studying bell-time changes and other cost-saving measures to address a national school bus driver shortage and high transportation spending.

District transportation staff reported that after a community “thought exchange” the district revised an earlier draft plan to change elementary dismissal from 4:25 p.m. to 3:55 p.m. The presenter said the change was meant to balance family concerns and the district’s need to reduce transportation costs.

The change matters because a state audit previously showed the district spends 5.6% of its total budget on transportation—above the state average of about 3%. Staff said the district has pursued a set of options to reduce that percentage, including shifting start/end times between elementary and high school, and studying a possible four-day school week as a larger cost-savings measure.

“[T]he outcome was to adjust the dismissal time…for elementary from 04:25 to 03:55,” said Mr. Davies, a Magnolia ISD transportation staff member, summarizing the revision made after parents’ responses. He told trustees the first thought exchange generated more than 2,200 responses and a follow-up exchange generated 753 responses on the revised plan.

Staff explained concerns that swapping high school and elementary start times would force very early wake-ups for elementary children and lengthen high school students’ afternoons when they have longer practices or rehearsals. The presenter also noted a possible four-day week could lower fuel, utility and maintenance costs but said the district would be the largest in Texas to adopt such a schedule and any change would require a detailed study of impacts.

Board members asked about bus drivers’ reactions and the presenter said drivers had not expressed significant negatives to the revised timing. Trustees praised the district for seeking parent input twice and encouraged continued engagement with campus leaders.

District staff did not ask for a board vote; they said next steps include meeting with junior high and intermediate principals to refine traffic plans and present a recommended schedule to families before the end of the school year.

Clarifying details: district demographers estimate roughly 50 students might come from the new Heron Run phase in 2025; the specific funding savings from the 3:55 dismissal change were not specified in the presentation.

The board did not take formal action during the discussion; staff were directed to continue planning and consult campus leaders before returning with a recommended plan.