March 29, 2024

EP Elementary School Hours Changing Next Year: 8:40 to 2:45 New Schedule

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2015-2016 Elementary School Start/Dismissal Times to Change:

The East Providence School Committee voted last night to change the current staggered school bell schedule with one unified start and dismissal time in September 2015. School department Director of Operations, Diana Clarkin told the committee that "this change makes for a more cohesive and cost-effective schedule. Right now some schools have one schedule while others have a different one," Clarkin said.

The new schedule will roll back the starting time for all elementary schools to 8:40 a.m. The day will end for students at 2:45 p.m. "The new times will also save us $100,000 in overage costs for staff, aides and drivers," she added.

Clarkin and Superintendent Kim Mercer indicated that all school principals are in agreement. "Parents have not been happy with the current times since we were forced by the former Budget Commission to change it. They said we would save money by using less busses, but we haven't," said school board at-large member Joel Monteiro.

"That was before my time here," said Clarkin, "but it actually ended up costing the district more money in the long run. "There were overage costs for staff and other bus runs that actually cost the district more money. We will save $100,000 by reverting back to an earlier start time," she said.

While the committee seemed unanimous in supporting a "win-win" decision, the eventual vote to change the bell schedule was approved on a 3-2 vote. "I move that we approve this," said Ward 3 member Nathan Cahoon. The motion was quickly seconded by Monteiro but during a vote, Ward 2 member Tony Ferreira said he opposed the move "at this time." "I don't think we have given the public a right to be heard on this before we vote," said Ferreira. Ward 4 member Jessica Beauchaine then agreed with Ferreira. "We aren't letting parents be heard on this," Beauchaine said.

"Well, parents haven't been happy at all since this first changed. It's more difficult for parent to get off to work in the morning with this late start. It was intended to save money but it never did. I think we should support this now so parents can plan accordingly for next year," Monteiro said. Chairman Charles Tsonos voted with Monteiro and Cahoon to approve with Beauchaine and Ferreira voting against. "I may not be against this idea, I think parents need a chance to be heard on it first," said Beauchaine.

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