Ad Hoc Committee Unable to Find Viable Alternative Bell Schedule

Following more than two weeks of analyzing data, discussing various scenarios and running simulations, Centennial's ad hoc committee on the elementary bell schedule could not create a workable solution to the controversial issue.

In a blog posted Thursday evening on the Centennial web site, committee chair Mark Miller wrote the following:

After reviewing the several parameters given for the committee's narrow scope, the various members began the task of reviewing the results presented by the District's Transportation Supervisor. None of those options were consistent with the directive given to the committee at its formation.

With no viable alternative, the school board will vote on the current proposed schedule change during a specially scheduled meeting on June 18 at 8:30 p.m. If the proposal passes, the new full-day schedule will look like the following:

•  will begin classes at 8:30 a.m. and end at 3:15 p.m.
• Davis Elementary and  will begin at 9:00 a.m. and dismiss at 3:45 p.m.

The original resolution was at the May 22 meeting to allow the ad hoc committee time to come up with an alternative. Made up of board members, administrators, elementary school principals and parents, the committee approached the issue with the goal to have none of the schools end at 3:45 p.m., which has been the major source of friction for parents.

Several options were considered, including with the parochial school students, finding a third party contractor or increasing the bus fleet. Ultimately, the committee could not produce a result that would have a minimal impact in terms of tax increases or additional schedule changes for the secondary schools.

The board will also make its vote for final approval of the 2012-2013 budget at the June 18 meeting, which will be preceded by the Finance Committee meeting at 7 p.m.