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School District Proposes Bell Schedule Changes

POSTED: 5:52 pm PDT April 23, 2008
UPDATED: 6:51 pm PDT April 23, 2008

The San Diego Unified School District is considering a new cost-saving change that some parents are concerned over.

The proposal involves changing school start times to streamline bus routes.

The move could affect 59 schools in the San Diego Unified School District.

However, parents of children who go to Tierrasanta Elementary School will be hit the hardest because they face a 90-minute change.

For many parents, their day runs like clockwork.

"It's more than a little inconvenience. It impacts the whole community, the entire community of Tierrasanta," said parent Armelle Miller.

Miller, a mother of three, is concerned about the possible change in her son's school schedule.

"To ask us to bare the brunt of these changes and to change our lives 90 minutes, I really think it's unfair," said Miller.

The school day at Tierrasanta Elementary begins at 7:50 a.m. Under the proposed change, students would start their day at 9:20 a.m.

Officials said it is an effort to save an estimated $2.9 million.

"They've looked at the schedules of where all these students are going and where they're coming from and changing the bell time and reducing the number of bus routes that we have," said Jack Brandais of the San Diego Unified School District.

Parents understand the budget woes but said 90 minutes is too much.

"We are more than willing to adjust our schedules a little bit and most of the other schools do have just 20 minutes or 30 minute changes," said one parent.

Critics of the plan said more money will be spent for daycare.

"That's going to add potentially an increase in families who will need before and after care," said parent Kelley Schmidt.

Parents are also concerned about their children's after-school programs.

"I have two Girl Scout troops -- both Camina Elementary and Tierrasanta Elementary. One of them we meet at 2:30 in the afternoon, and now this wouldn't be able to take place," said one parent.

Meanwhile, some parents said the changes won't affect them.

"We're going to have to cut money somewhere and for me I would rather adjust my day," said parent Karen Cecilio.

The school district is expected to discuss the plan at a community meeting on April 30.

Learn more about the bell time change proposal.

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