The Pinellas County School Board voted Tuesday evening on a proposal to shift start times earlier at three high schools and one middle school, with the most dramatic change affecting Largo Middle School.
Under the proposal, St. Pete High School and Dunedin High School would both begin the school day at 7:45 a.m., while Largo High School would start at 7:35 a.m.
The biggest change would be at Largo Middle School, where students could begin class at 7:25 a.m. — more than two hours earlier than the current 9:40 a.m. start time.
District officials say the driving force behind the changes is transportation efficiency. Transportation Director T. Mark Hagewood explained that bus drivers typically complete three separate routes each morning — high school, elementary, and middle school — and that schedules must be spaced so each run can be completed in sequence. Combining the Largo Middle and Largo High routes, he said, would allow the district to consolidate bus runs.
District leaders noted the proposed times are approximate and could shift by up to 15 minutes in either direction. Officials also indicated the approach could eventually expand to other schools as the district continues to look for transportation savings.
If approved, the new bell schedules would take effect at the start of the next school year. The changes would most significantly affect families with students at Largo Middle School in the morning.
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