Pleasantville schedules staggered starts, readies Chromebooks and expands free meals ahead of Sept. 4 opening

Pleasantville Superintendent Dr. Martinez told the Board of Education on Aug. 26 that schools will begin the 2025–26 year with staggered start times intended to ease congestion and support a safer morning transition. "Students start on September 4," she said, laying out proposed times: elementary at 8:55 a.m., middle school at 8:30 a.m. and adjusted high school times to preserve a 30‑minute window between middle and high school traffic.

The district will expand student access to technology and meals before the first day. Dr. Martinez said Chromebook distribution will begin this week for middle‑school students and will follow for high‑school students next week; student identification cards will also be issued in advance. The district also announced that all students will be eligible for free breakfast and lunch under the federal Community Eligibility Provision, though Dr. Martinez asked parents to submit required compliance information.

Transportation changes accompany the schedule shifts: the district has purchased five new buses and hired three drivers to implement a three‑tiered routing system designed to improve supervision and student reception despite higher costs. Dr. Martinez said principals, transportation, facilities and central office staff collaborated on scheduling; she added that high‑school teacher schedules have been live since Aug. 14 and that the district anticipates finalizing remaining schedules this week.

The district framed the changes as preparation for a strong opening and said staff will receive final schedule and start‑time details upon board approval. "All students will have free breakfast and lunch," Dr. Martinez said, adding that administrators expect staff and student readiness for Sept. 4.