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Kingston City district delays bell-schedule changes, cites transportation costs and community input
Summary
The Kingston City School District superintendent told the board the scope and complexity of proposed bell-schedule changes mean the district will delay implementing them this September while it reviews routes, ridership and costs and seeks more community and staff input.
The Kingston City School District superintendent told trustees the district will not push through major bell-schedule changes for September, saying the scope and potential disruption for families, students and staff requires more time and review.
The superintendent reported that summer construction is underway at Chambers, Crosby, Bailey and George Washington schools, summer programs for special education and elementary extended-year students have begun, and high school summer school starts July 13. He said the district is "chipping away" at transportation cost issues but that the full changes would be rushed if implemented for September.
Why it matters: Trustees and administrators said families need time to adjust childcare and transportation plans if start and end times change. A trustee asked directly whether the financial gap would come from personnel or program cuts; the superintendent said: "We have no intention of making up this gap using personnel or program," and described multiple reviews of bus routes, late runs and ridership to find efficiencies.
Board members pressed administration for clearer communications to families while the district studies routes. One trustee requested repeated outreach and a clear contact for families who do not receive letters; a second urged surveys and over-communication to limit stress during transitions.
The superintendent also urged creation of a sustainability committee and said the administration has been working with a district green team; he indicated the committee idea would come back to the board for further discussion. He said some adjustments are expected this year but stressed the priority is stable schedules and that student contact time should not be reduced.
The next steps: The superintendent said he will bring back detailed proposals and an accounting of how the district intends to close the transportation funding gap; trustees asked for additional information before any vote on schedule changes.
