Local students should get ready to get out of bed a little earlier – or later.
Waterloo Region’s school boards say making small changes to bell times at local schools could mean big savings.
Buses are currently shared between the Waterloo Region District School Board and Waterloo Catholic District School Board.
“We’re trying to max out the amount of use you can get out of each bus,” WCDSB spokesperson John Shewchuk tells CTV News.
“One school board can’t do it without the other one being on board.”
The school boards previously raised the issue in 2011-12, suggesting bigger changes which would have seen elementary schools start earlier in the morning and high school classes commence afterward.
Outcry from parents caused that proposal to be shelved.
Shewchuk says the proposed changes shouldn’t affect any individual school by more than 20 minutes, while the Catholic board alone will save about $1 million per year.
“At a time of declining enrollment, when it’s getting tighter and tighter to fund the classroom, that money could be redirected to the classroom,” he says.
WRDSB officials say they would expect a similar level of savings.
Parents who spoke to CTV News say they have no issues with the change.
“As a working mom, I think it’s great. It lets me work a little bit later,” says Mary Fitzgerald.
“I think 15 minutes is a small sacrifice to save that much money,” adds Erin Cahalane.
The public board plans to discuss the changes with school councils, while the Catholic board has launched an online survey to gather feedback.
