Cedar Rapids school district considers three bell schedule options for next school year

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - The Cedar Rapids Community School District is considering three bell schedule scenarios for next academic year that could change when a student’s school day starts and ends by as much as 90 minutes. The district is asking for public feedback before the school board votes Dec. 14.

The changes are tied to the district’s reconfiguration of schools.

Options under consideration

The district has narrowed the options to Scenario 7, Scenario 10 or Scenario 14. School would start between 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. and end between 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m., depending on the scenario.

One scenario would keep the bell schedule relatively the same as it is now. A second would have intermediate schools start later. A third would have secondary schools start later.

Student and parent views

Kage Hoover, a junior, said he prefers Scenario 7. “The extra sleep lets our minds get more focused,” he said.

Caliyah Kendricks, freshman, and Anna Christensen, sophomore said Scenario 14 is their preferred option. “If you get out at 4, people have stuff to do after school and if you have work at 4, you’re going to have to work less hours,” Kendricks said.

For parents, the changes could mean a different drop-off time for elementary school students.

Megan McClure, a Trailside Elementary parent, said she prefers Scenario 14 “mainly because I’m also in college with my kids so that would help out my schedule — getting them dropped off and still attending my classes as well.”

Brent Gall, also a Trailside Elementary parent, said, “We like the 9 to 4. It just works better for our schedules and stuff.”

“I get off work early in the morning and it gives me time to get off work and be able to get her to school and pick her up too,” Gall said.

Transportation costs

The district also has to consider transportation costs under the three scenarios.

Scenarios 14 and 10 could each cost the district an extra $300,000. Scenario 7 is the only option that would save the district money, about $50,000.

Scott Wing, the district’s transportation manager, said the district expects between 1,000 and 1,500 additional students to be eligible for busing in the new configuration. He said those students would be at the intermediate and middle school levels.

“We really want to choose a model that supports our students and one that we can support as a system so that they can get to school,” Wing said.

How to give input

Parents have until Dec. 14 to give feedback. The school board will vote on a final bell schedule that day.

The district is holding three public input meetings:

• Monday, Nov. 16, at 5:30 p.m., at Washington High School
• Monday, Nov. 16, at 5:30 p.m., at Jefferson High School
• Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 5:30 p.m., at Kennedy High School