After a statewide debate and legislative turnabouts, Florida school districts have regained control over setting their schools' start times. The Florida House passed a bill with unanimous support yesterday, a move that follows an earlier unanimous decision by the Senate. This legislation, SB 296, effectively relinquishes a previous mandate that would have required middle schools to begin no earlier than 8 a.m. and high schools no later than 8:30 a.m., according to News4JAX.
The reversal comes as many school districts grappled with the feasibility of the later start times established by the 2023 law, which aimed to help teens get more rest. Schools struggled with logistical challenges, including the need for additional buses and difficulties hiring bus drivers. WFTV reported on concerns that later start times could also interfere with after-school activities and complicate child care arrangements for families.
Arguments for the original legislation were based on research suggesting that adolescents benefit from more sleep, but the practical implementation issues proved significant. "A lot of times we don’t realize everything that could happen," House bill sponsor Rep. Anne Gerwig, R-Wellington, recounted to Tampa Bay Times. The bill now grants districts the ability to submit reports to the Florida Department of Education, rather than adhering strictly to start times, allowing for greater flexibility based on local needs and resources.
With the bill's passage, it now heads to Governor Ron DeSantis for his signature. In the meantime, districts such as Pasco and Pinellas County have begun to proactively consider the implications of the looming deadline for later start times, even utilizing new software to study the possibility.
