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Santa Rosa school board keeps current bell schedules after hearing on state start‑time rule
Summary
After a public hearing and staff analysis, the Santa Rosa County School Board voted unanimously March 5 to keep next year’s bell schedules unchanged, citing survey results under 50% in favor of changes and projected transportation and staffing costs that would add millions to the district budget.
The Santa Rosa County School Board voted unanimously March 5 to retain its current bell schedules for the 2026–27 school year after a public hearing on a state rule requiring later start times for middle and high schools.
The board heard a staff presentation on the Florida statute and a district survey, then took comments from parents and community members. Transportation and finance staff told the board that, as modeled, moving impacted schools later while preserving the district’s three‑tier bus system would require about 24 additional buses and an estimated $2.9 million in recurring annual contract costs; shifting to a two‑tier plan raised projected costs to roughly $6.9 million, and a one‑tier compliance approach was modeled at more than $28 million.
"Given the financial constraints of the school district and our responsibility to remain fiscally sound, I'm recommending to the…
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