Morning bell at Wichita schools could ring 10 minutes earlier

Wichita students would start and finish their school day 10 minutes earlier if board members approve a proposal being recommended by superintendent John Allison.

Under the plan, which board members will consider Monday, most elementary schools would shift to an 8:50 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. schedule; most K-8 and secondary schools would operate from 7:50 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; and a handful of magnet schools, including Northeast Magnet High School, would go from 6:50 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Last year the Wichita district trimmed 15 days from the school year and made school days longer to save on transportation, utilities and other costs.

In an online survey conducted by the district, a majority of elementary school parents expressed concern about the longer school day, and many suggested modifying start times to end school earlier.

Allison told board members last month that his staff was analyzing potential costs and other consequences of changing start times in an effort to dismiss elementary school students earlier.

Shifting all school schedules 10 minutes earlier should not affect transportation costs, but it would mean children at early-start magnet schools would have to catch their buses even earlier – some before 6 a.m.

This story was originally published June 2, 2017 at 7:21 AM with the headline "Morning bell at Wichita schools could ring 10 minutes earlier."