PCPS to Host Town Halls About Changing Middle and High School Start Times

Thanks to a new law passed by the Florida Legislature, Polk County high school students will have more time to sleep in when the 2026 school year starts. But the required change in bell schedules might wreak havoc on school bus schedules, extracurricular activities and traffic from parent drop-off and pick-up routines.

House Bill 733, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in May, requires Florida public middle schools to start no earlier than 8 a.m. and high schools to begin no earlier than 8:30 a.m. by July 2026. Charter schools also must comply with the law.

At a glance

There will be five town hall meetings between March 25 and April 22 so Polk County Public Schools can share its plans and get feedback from stakeholders.

Currently, the school district uses the same buses for all of the different levels, so start times are staggered by about an hour. High school students have to be in class by about 7 a.m., elementary schools start around 8 a.m. and middle schools begin at 9 a.m.

In the afternoon, high schools finish around 2 p.m., elementary schools let out around 3 p.m. and middle school students aren’t released until about 4 p.m.

Senate bill sponsor Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, and other supporters of the measure pushed for the change based on research by organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that show not getting enough sleep hurts students’ physical and mental health, as well as their ability to learn. Conversely, well-rested students tend to get better grades, be less depressed and have fewer absences.

But a minority of lawmakers, like Rep. Bruce Antone, D-Orlando, raised concerns about increased costs and other challenges for school districts. School districts across the state are already struggling to find enough bus drivers, and buying more buses will be expensive. Also, for many high school students, finishing at 2 p.m. makes it easier to play sports or have after-school jobs.

“Many preparations must still be made for a smooth transition,” district officials said Monday. “For instance, the shift in middle and high school start times will likely impact elementary school hours too.”

That’s why Polk County Public Schools wants public input to help shape the necessary changes. Polk County’s District Advisory Council, a volunteer-based group, will be hosting a series of town halls beginning in March to share the district’s plans and get feedback from stakeholders.

Each town hall will feature a panel of experts in education and school operations and will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. They are scheduled for:

Monday, March 25 – Jim Miles Professional Development Center, 4270 Wallace Rd, Lakeland.
Thursday, March 28 – Stuart Center, 1702 S. Holland Parkway, Bartow.
Monday, April 1 – Dream Center of Lakeland, 635 W 5th St., Lakeland.
Monday, April 8 – AdventHealth Fieldhouse, 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven.
Monday, April 22 – Tom Fellows Community Center, 207 North Boulevard West, Davenport.