Bell time shift could save $1.2M

COCOA, Fla. — In order to decrease transportation costs, which many school districts across the nation are being driven to do, Brevard District Schools turned to its bell times.

By adding 15 minutes in between elementary and secondary bell times, Director of Transportation Mike Connors said that the district expects to bring its number of bus routes from 436 down to 402.

School had just started in the district, so “it will take a little time for us to validate the savings from our plan,” Connors said. But the estimated savings is about $1.2 million.

Below is what the old and new schedules look like. Connors noted that the actual student drop-off at the elementary schools is no later than 7:45 a.m.

Old Bell Times
Elementary: 8:00-2:30
High School: 8:30-3:15
Middle: 9:15-4:00

New Bell Times
Elementary: 8:00-2:30
High School: 8:45-3:30
Middle: 9:30-4:15