Provide Input on School Schedules by Noon, Friday, March 5

THIS SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED.

The Bellingham School District will change the elementary school schedule to the same start and end times for all students in grades K-5 beginning this fall. The schedule for the regular kindergarten program will be every other day, full-day or the option of every day, full-day.

Currently, students in grades K-2 and students in grades 3-5 have different start and end times, and kindergarten is half-day, every day with a full-day option. This requires multiple transportation runs. The new schedule will save the district at least $170,000 annually in transportation efficiencies.

After reviewing many options for schedules, the district has selected two feasible possibilities and would like your input. It is not possible to have an earlier elementary start time due to the number of buses required. Eleven of the district's 14 elementary schools currently have before- and after-school childcare provided by the YMCA and we will explore expanding this. One of the schedule options involves moving middle and high school start and end times 15 minutes earlier. The district will explore aligning middle and high school schedules in the future, but this cannot be accomplished at the current time because we do not have enough buses.

Acting Superintendent Sherrie Brown will consider your input regarding school schedules to make a decision later in March. This will allow the district and families time to plan for the fall. Specifics for the regular every other day, full-day kindergarten schedule will be posted at http://bellinghamschools.org/kindergarten-information

Please submit your input by taking this brief survey by noon, Friday, March 5: