Volusia County Schools Adopts New Bell Schedule

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DeLand, FL - Parents, students, faculty and staff now have about 100 days to get familiar with a brand new bell schedule.

Earlier last night (March 28th), the Volusia County School Board voted to adopt a brand new bell schedule that allows extra instructional time and will hopefully alleviate a late bus problem for schools.

But the adoption didn't come without resistance.

First, VCS voted unanimously on a schedule that starts elementary schools at 7:50 a.m., high schools at 8:30 a.m., and middle schools at 9:30 a.m. But, they did not decide when the change would be implemented.

When the question on when the new schedule could take effect came up, Board Member Ida Wright motioned to delay the implementation of the new schedule until 2020.

But, the motion fell through when the board voted 3-2 against the delay, with Wright and Ruben Colón being the only members in favor of the delay.

"I don't believe, nor do I trust that we can do this in a hundred days," said Colón.

Both board members Jamie Haynes and Carl Persis said no matter what, the new implementation would be good for students.

Colón didn't disagree, but he believed it needed time to be implemented.

"My final word on it is it's a good schedule," said Persis. "It's good for kids, it's good for kids all the way around, it's better than what we have."

Later on during arguments over implementation, Haynes posed a question to VCS Executive Director Rachael Hazel, saying that since it was her department, how did she feel about when it was put into effect.

Hazel said that no matter what decision was made, her department would be able to "problem solve" and handle whatever change.

"Honestly, either way, at some point, someone is going to be unhappy," said Hazel.

Following comments, the board voted again on implementation. But, this time the vote would decide on an implementation for the 2019-2020 school year.

That vote passed 3-2 in favor of changing the school bell schedules come August.

The new schedule will be as follows:

  • Elementary Schools: 7:50 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • High Schools: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Middle Schools: 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
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