PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Ten Philadelphia lawmakers are asking the School District of Philadelphia to rethink its new start times for schools this fall.
The district last month moved to start schools at 7:30, 8:15 or 9:00 a.m., to address a shortage of bus drivers. The 10 state representatives, including Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta, Elizabeth Fiedler, and Jason Dawkins, said in a letter they were concerned the new times would disrupt student performance and were made without enough input from parents.
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Superintendent William Hite, at a news conference Thursday, said he would talk with members of the Philadelphia delegation.
"I'll respond as we've responded to everyone, that we are interested in hearing all of the comments and concerns about that so that we're able to address those as much as we possibly can," he said.
Hite said before-and-after-school services would be available for parents whose work schedules don't align with the new school schedule.
While the bell schedule may change again for the 2022-23 school year, Hite said the new three-tiered start times will remain for the upcoming school year.
Read the full letter below.