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Staff recommend two‑tier bell schedule to integrate new intermediate school into district routing
Summary
A district committee presented a recommended bell schedule for 2025‑26 that expands the two‑tier routing system so fifth and sixth graders would ride with middle/high routes; the plan adjusts start and end times and includes seating directives and monitoring to address parent safety concerns.
A district committee recommended on March 10 that Mount Vernon expand its two‑tier bus routing for the 2025‑26 school year so the intermediate school’s fifth and sixth graders ride with the middle and high school tiers. The recommendation came as the district prepares to bring the intermediate school online next year.
Staff presenting the proposal told the board the plan mirrors current school‑day lengths, but shifts start and end times to create extra time between tier 1 (elementary) and tier 2 (intermediate/middle/high) routes. Under the recommendation elementary schools would start at 7:35 a.m. and end at 2:05 p.m. (6 hours, 30 minutes). Intermediate and high school students would start at 8:35 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. (6 hours, 55 minutes). One school identified in the presentation (referred to in materials as the bridal school) would have its day shortened by five minutes to 7 hours, from a start at 8:45 a.m. to dismissal at 3:45 p.m.
Presenters said the expanded two‑tier approach would seat intermediate students toward the front of buses, middle school students in the middle and high school students in the rear to create separation. The staff member presenting acknowledged parent concerns and said the district will enforce seating directives and monitor compliance: “Correct. That is a directive from us that that will take place. And if it’s not, then we will — we’re gonna do periodic checks with video. We’re gonna have seating charts to make sure that we’re hitting those marks,” the presenter said in response to a board question about driver discretion.
Why it matters: integrating an intermediate school into existing routes affects transportation logistics, student supervision and family schedules. The district said maintaining current release times was important to allow students who work or participate in extracurricular activities to arrive on time.
The committee said it considered multiple options, including a three‑tier schedule and flipped start orders, but settled on expanding the two‑tier model to allow enough time to load and deliver riders safely. Presenters said the proposal intends to prioritize student well‑being and provide flexibility for transportation and staff.
Board members and staff said next steps include finalizing the recommendation and presenting it for board approval at a future meeting. Presenters said they would develop a communications plan for families, bus drivers and staff to prepare for implementation.
