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Home > Blogs > Springfield Schools News and Issues > Archives > 2009 > March > 09 > Entry
Springfield eyes one start-dismissal schedule for high school (UPDATED)
Springfield officials are pursuing a zoning change at Springfield High School that would allow the district to have one arrival and dismissal schedule.
Currently Springfield High operates on two different schedules. Two small schools — Humanities and Problem-based Learning — are on the earlier schedule from 7:36 a.m. to 2:26 p.m.
The other two small schools — Leadership and Global Perspectives — are on the later schedule from 8:25 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
This was a compromise school and city officials reached to avoid traffic problems when the board decided a few years ago to merge North and South into one school.
School officials also agreed to offer a shuttle transportation system for students on the south side of town when it was decided the school would be built at North Limestone Street and Home Road.
The problem is that the school’s cafeteria is filled with a few hundred students each day who are either arriving earlier than the later start time because of transportation arrangements or are on the early schedule and are let out earlier and are waiting in that area for their ride home, Interim Superintendent Don Thompson said.
The City Planning Board is the first step in the process and is expected to vote at its meeting at 7 p.m. tonight at the city forum. If the planning board approves the request, it would go before city commission.
Do you think one time schedule would be better for the school or are you concerned about potential traffic problems?
UPDATE: According to the packet given to city planning board members, city officials are not making any recommendation for approval or denial of this issue based on a lack of information.
The packet does indicate that both the city services director and city engineer recommend denying the request based on traffic problems.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: Springfield City Schools
Comments
By flipper
March 9, 2009 11:30 AM | Link to this
Reduce the number of student drivers (ie only seniors have the priviledge)or Mom & Dad drop off at a drop off zone (not right at the front door) everyone else rides the bus.By Megan Gildow
March 9, 2009 12:00 PM | Link to this
Flipper- Springfield offers very limited busing to its students because of financial woes over the last few years. State law allows districts to not provide busing for high school students. For high schoolers, Springfield has shuttles available from some of the neighborhood elementary and middle schools to the high school but that is the only busing they offer.By One tired parent...
March 9, 2009 12:46 PM | Link to this
Another city school issue… ENOUGH ALREADY!! Did they really think this schedule would work from the beginning?? Every week its another issue.. For the love…By elle
March 9, 2009 1:26 PM | Link to this
You think the traffic is bad now!!!Wait until everyone arrives and departs at the same time. It not only takes time from the parents and students who have to deal with this, but it also effects anyone driving in that area at those times.If you have a problem with the students hanging around..be a administrator and deal with it!Come up with something to keep the students busy.By deb
March 9, 2009 2:04 PM | Link to this
I think they should keep it the same. I have seen traffic backed up from Limestone clear down to the bike path. Putting everyone on the same schedule will only make it worse. Plus you have Simon Kenton and Roosevelt to consider.Roosevelt traffic is terrible.By GEE
March 9, 2009 3:06 PM | Link to this
Re:elle yea adminstrators deal with it! Oh I forgot you’re laying off teachers who probably would have to do this job too.By GEE
March 9, 2009 3:16 PM | Link to this
Oh believe me, they are not eyeing this issue it has already been decided in their favor. The government in this city tosses us bones, they have done it for years. We are invited to discuss matters which have already been decided. wake up citizens of Springfield let your voice be heard.By King of the Lizard People
March 9, 2009 11:32 PM | Link to this
Why is everyone wants to complain but offers no solution? The district had a plan they thought would work by utilizing 2 start dismissal times, however it obviously is not working or they would not be considering making the change. I am sure there is solution if we look for it, rather than just looking to blame others.