During the regular School Board meeting on Tuesday, January 16, Martin County School Board members approved new school start times for the 2024-2025 School Year.
Florida HB 733, passed in 2023, requires school districts to comply with new middle and high school start times beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. By July 1, 2026, middle schools may not begin the instructional day prior to 8:00 a.m., and high schools may not begin prior to 8:30 a.m. In order for the Martin County School District to comply, school start and end times have been adjusted for the 2024-2025 school year.
Employee work hours will also be adjusted to coincide with the revised bell schedules, and specific changes will be disclosed at a later date.
The Florida Department of Education allocated funds for school districts electing to comply with the legislative requirement before the mandated start year. The District plans to use a portion of this funding to purchase a school bus tracking system, allowing families to monitor the location of their child’s bus.
The District’s Transportation Department has been searching for a bus tracking system to provide additional support to families for a few years. However, funding and safety concerns needed to be resolved.
In coordination with the Department of Safety and Security, a secure tracking app has been identified, called “Where’s the Bus.” This system allows parents and guardians to see when the bus will arrive at its stop in the mornings and afternoons, and if there are any delays along the route. Only parents and guardians who have been verified by the District will have access to track their child’s bus.
Should the School Board approve the funding provided by the state for the early adoption of new school start and end times, the new tracking system is expected to be in place for the 2024-2025 school year.
To view the new start times for the 2024-2025 school year, please click here.