Iowa City Schools Approve New Start Times

Students in Iowa City will be on a new bell schedule next school year.

The school board unanimously approved the change at its meeting on Tuesday.

Elementary school students will start classes at 7:55 a.m. next year, and junior high and high school students will begin at 8:50 a.m.

The decision comes after a task force of parents, students, teachers and school board members reviewed the district's bell schedule. Some board members have had concerns about elementary students waiting a long time for buses.

Currently, elementary school students start later (8:45 a.m.) than junior high and high school students (8 a.m.).