TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — State lawmakers will meet Tuesday to begin a legislative meeting in Tallahassee.
One bill that will be debated will reverse plans to push back school start times next year.
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The reversal bill comes after several counties raised concerns about the impact of later start times on district families.
The question in the air is whether to start middle and high school students late in the morning.
In 2023, a law emerged that forced districts to reschedule the start and end times of student days for both middle and high school students. The law requires middle school classes to start high schools after 8am and after 8:30am, to allow students to get more sleep.
“I think kids are just awake later, meaning if they’re getting up later and losing sleep, they’re not going to promote it,” said Mother Norma Tutt.
All of these were set to be effective by July 2026.
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In the meantime, the school board had to stick to fix compliance times, causing issues such as bus routes.
“We need an hour between the time of the bell and between the time of the bus to reach different parts of the county,” said Ryan Deliberevili, chairman of the Polk County Public Schools District Advisory Board.
Some parents in different counties are interested in these new start times that affect sports.
“My daughter played golf. It’s a fall activity. It’s going to be 5, 5:30am,” said Tenesia Campbell. “So if they’re out of school at 3:30, how long will they really have to practice? You can’t see the ball in the dark.”
If the 2023 law is reversed with a new bill, the district will be relieved of having to amend the time.
Some parents want to get control in the hands of the district where their children go to school.
“I think Governor Desantis should have left it to each county. You know, you have broad laws, but you gave the county a choice whether they want to enforce it or not,” Tutt said.
If a new bill is passed and the law is signed, it will take effect in July 2025.
