WELLINGTON, Fla. — For the first time, parents gathered for a community input session on proposed new school start times.
Although few attended at Wellington Community High School, frustration filled the auditorium.
“The times are not feasible,” shared parent Melissa Moran.
Moran said the change in start times for 2026-2027 school year are not a good decision.
- Option one would have elementary schools starting first at 7:30 a.m. High schools would follow at 8:45 a.m. then middle schools at 10:15 a.m.
- Option two would have middle schools start first at 8 a.m. High schools would start at 9:15 a.m. and elementary at 9:45 a.m.
- Option three would have high schools starting first at 8:30 a.m., elementary schools would start at 9 a.m. and middle schools would start at 10:20 a.m.
School officials say more than 12,000 surveys have been collected already.
“I’m a volunteer parent. I’m a sports parent,” stated Justina Mann. “My kids are about to enter the work force, and I think any of those times just make everything incredibly difficult.”
Many argue the changes will bring problems to parent’s work schedules and after-school activities.
Mark Hanson’s son is in 9th grade and he worries about the delayed high school end times.
“It’s late,” shares Hanson. “Once he gets done with sports and homework there’s not much left in the day for him to anything else other than that and that was really our main concern.”
Education
Your chance to weigh in on proposed changes to school start times
As part of the new state law, the school board is set to approve one of the options next year. However, school officials say they could ask to change the law when they meet with legislators during spring 2025.
“If there is an option to keep the schedule as is, it should remain that way,” stated Mann.
School officials say it will take months of evaluations and discussions.
WPTV's Michael Hoffman spoke with State Sen. Lori Berman, one of the yes voters on the changes. In the House, the votes came down with 92 for and 20 against. In the Senate, the votes were 38 yes and two no.
While she says the science supports the law, she says implementing the plan will come with its challenges.
“It’s going to be hard, it’s going to be a change for everyone," said Berman. "It’s going to be a change for parents, it’s going to be a change for teachers, it’s a change for school bus drivers, and we’re going to have to figure it out."
In a statement to WPTV, the School District of Palm Beach County said it is "evaluating options to update school start and end times to comply with House Bill 733 (2023). The School District’s evaluation includes public input, bus routes, school meal times, before- and after-school care, and more. The School District is also requesting flexibility from the state legislature regarding the new start and end times. This may result in the School District receiving legislative relief that will allow us to maintain our current start and end times."
There will be five more meetings on the changes around Palm Beach County:
Sept. 19 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Palm Beach Gardens Community High School
Sept. 23 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Glades Central Community High School
Sept. 30 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Atlantic Community High School
Oct. 7 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Park Vista Community High School
Oct. 10 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Forest Hill Community High School.
Those changes wont be implemented until August 2026, ahead of the 2026-2027 school year.
