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SLPS proposes later start times, seeks 30 more buses and to electrify fleet with $10M‑plus grant

St. Louis Public Schools Board of Education · January 28, 2026

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Summary

The district proposed shifting to a two‑tier bell schedule (8:00 a.m. and about 9:30 a.m.) to improve student outcomes and safety; implementation would require roughly 30 additional buses costing an estimated $3.5–5 million and the district said it has a '10‑plus million dollar' heavy‑duty vehicle grant to support 30 electric buses and infrastructure.

St. Louis Public Schools on Tuesday outlined a proposal to change school start times, reduce morning tiers from three to two and add electric buses.

Chief Watson said the district's planning prefers a first bell at 8:00 a.m. and a latest bell around 9:30 a.m., citing research that later start times improve adolescent attendance, academic outcomes and graduation rates and noting student safety when bus stops occur in daylight. The current schedule is three tiers with start times that in some cases require students to wait at bus stops before 6 a.m.

To transition to two tiers the district estimated it would need about 30 additional buses and drivers and placed the incremental fleet cost between $3.5 million and $5 million. Chief Watson said the district had been awarded a "10 plus million dollar heavy duty vehicle grant" intended to support 30 electric buses and much of the necessary charging infrastructure; he provided an overall electrification estimate of about $15.6 million and said service providers are expected to cover costs beyond the grant in negotiated contracts.

District staff emphasized a phased roll‑out for electrification and said they are negotiating with transportation providers (including Zoom and Highland) about who could support expanded routing and the eventual electric vehicle operations. Chief Watson also flagged additional considerations: increased before/after care needs, impacts on athletics and extracurricular schedules, and the need for additional infrastructure and grant or vendor support.

Administrators said they will survey parents, publish FAQs and host community engagement sessions before returning formal recommendations to the board.