Bell Schedule Proposed Changes

by Dr. Rob Gardner

With the current funding shortfalls within the state of Missouri's budget, and knowing that transportation funding will likely be cut again (we have already been reduced by 8% for this school year), the District is looking at various departments to analyze efficiency. Transportation is one of those departments. Analyzing transportation efficiencies has been in our strategic plan for many years.

As early as 2006, a transportation consulting firm, Transpar, indicated that for us to improve efficiency, we needed to stagger arrival and dismissal times throughout the district to maximize the use of each bus. The report concluded, “The current bell times limit the opportunities to further reduce costs.”

Currently, arrival and dismissal times are staggered by location or geography. For example, the schools in Platte City which represent 75% of the student population are on an early schedule of approximately 7:40-2:40 (varies slightly by building). The schools in the southern attendance area, Barry & Pathfinder, which represent 25% of the student population are on a late schedule approximately 8:55-3:55. Because the District’s tiered schedule is a 75/25 split, a larger bus fleet is required than if the tiers were a 50/50 split. With the additional growth since the original, this issue has been even more magnified.

A solution to this problem is demonstrated in districts across the metropolitan area. Rather than stagger bell schedules based on location, bell schedules are based on grade levels. In most metropolitan school districts, this means kindergarten through fifth grade (which represents approximately 50% of PCR-3s population) are on one schedule and sixth through 12th grade would be on another schedule (the other 50%). The 50/50 split will allow the use of ALL buses for both routes, which will maximize efficiency.

With this knowledge of efficiency improvements added to the safety issues surrounding the congested dismissal times, Platte County R-3 is considering changing bell schedules in the following manner:
K-5 approximate bell schedule 8:30-3:30
6-12 approximate bell schedule 7:30-2:30
The district expects to realize other benefits to making this proposed change. Some additional identified benefits include:
• Safety and congestion will improve by 50% on the Platte City campus and Barry/Pathfinder campus due to traffic essentially being cut in half in both locations.
• Elementary students will no longer be on the same bus with middle and high school students.
• Ride times will be reduced for most students.
• Middle Schools (Barry and Platte City) will be on the same schedule which will enhance and support before and after school activities between the buildings.

The District realizes that this change will present some challenges for families. Parent work schedules and child care arrangements may be impacted for some by this change. Those that might be impacted are encouraged to look into our affordable before and after school care options (Adventure Club). However, some families will welcome this change because it presents a solution to their work schedules and child care.

Essentially, the Board and Administration is left to analyze the information available and make the best decision for our students now and into the future. The District welcomes your questions and comments about this issue. Please feel free to contact Dr. Rob Gardner at (816) 858-5420 or gardnerr@pcriii.k12.mo.us. for more details.