Seattle Public Schools not changing start times after parents raise concerns

SEATTLE — In an email sent to parents Monday, Seattle Public Schools announced that start times for the 2022 - 2023 school year will remain mostly the same after many families expressed concerns about a recent proposal to change them.

As part of the proposal, most elementary and high school students would have started their day half an hour earlier, while K-8 and middle schoolers would have gone to class later in the day.

SPD said the proposal would have been able to save 50 school bus routes that would otherwise be cut.

Now, SPD Superintendent Jones has determined the district will continue with its current transportation system for the next school year.

Start times at elementary, K-8 and middle schools will be unchanged. Some high schoolers may see a 10-minute change in their start time.

The district says it is likely that bus service will still be reduced in the fall, but they are continuing to explore options for restoring suspended bus routes.

Families are invited to share their feedback on the school’s transportation services for the next school year on the district’s website.

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