The Pinellas County School Board has approved new start times for most of the schools in the district.
The later start times passed 6-1 at Tuesday's meeting.
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The change will cost the district $900,000 by adding between 50 and 65 routes and the district will need to hire nearly two dozen additional school bus drivers by the 2018-2019 school year.
High schools will now start at 7:20 a.m. (previously 7:05 a.m.). Elementary schools will now start at 8:45 a.m. (previously 8:35 a.m.) and middle schools will start at 9:40 a.m. (previously 9:30 a.m.)
Boca Ciega, Gibbs, Lakewood and Dixie Hollins High Schools will not change their current start times.
NEW START TIMES BY SCHOOL
The new start times will go into effect during the 2018-2019 school year.
Nearly Pinellas County parents who signed a petition asking for an 8:30 high school start time are not pleased with the change, saying it will do little to help their sleep deprived teens.
Hillsborough County School District approves new 2018-2019 bell schedule
