Orange County (Fla.) district will return to old school schedule

May 19, 2009
After one year, the board dumps a schedule that started high school later in the morning

From The Orlando Sentinel: The Orange County (Fla.) School Board has decided to return to an old class schedule that starts high schools early and middle schools later. The decision affirms the board's reversal of a schedule change put in place this year to save millions of dollars. The unpopular change, known as the flip, sent middle school children to school around 7:30 a.m.; high school students started classes around 9 a.m. Now the district will revert to the original schedule despite evidence that the new schedule saves money and is more efficient. Staff reports show that the new schedule has saved the district at least $4.3 million in operating costs and is expected to save millions more in the future. Officials estimate that putting the old one back in place will cost more than $5 million.

FROM MAY 2008: About 100 students and a few parents gathered outside the headquarters of Orange County (Fla.) Public Schools, marching, waving signs, chanting slogans and demanding that School Board members reverse their decision to swap high-school and middle-school schedules. Starting this fall, high schools will begin about 9:30 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. or later. Middle schools, on the other hand, will start and end earlier; from about 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Opponents say the change will hurt busy, high-achieving students with lots of activities, as well as students who have jobs after school. (Orlando Sentinel)

Sponsored Recommendations

How to design flexible learning spaces that teachers love and use

Unlock the potential of flexible learning spaces with expert guidance from school districts and educational furniture providers. Discover how to seamlessly integrate adaptive ...

Blurring the Lines in Education Design: K–12 to Higher Ed to Corporate America

Discover the seamless integration of educational and corporate design principles, shaping tomorrow's leaders from kindergarten to boardroom. Explore innovative classroom layouts...

Room to Learn: Furniture Solutions for Education

Preparing students for the future. Utilizing our experience in the education market, we offer a dynamic selection of products that pair technology with furniture to help stimulate...

Transforming Education: A Case Study in Progressive Classroom Design

Discover how Workspace Interiors and the Baldwin School District reshaped learning environments in Long Island, New York, creating pedagogically responsive spaces that foster ...