District 135 changed the start time of the K-2 buildings to 7:30 am,  despite the bus company not guaranteeing this would solve the late bus problem and despite parents and teachers not being in favor of the change.  The Board of Education is there to represent the parents and the students in the district.  Given the complete disregard of the survey results it does not seem to be upholding their duty.  This change greatly impacts all families. 

-The K-2 students will have to get up significantly earlier to get to school,  negatively impacting their learning. 

- For the working families that have multiple kids in school,  they no longer have kids on the same schedule and will have to figure out child care coverage completing disrupting their work hours.

- In addition, if the qualified teachers in the district are not in favor, there is a strong risk of losing quality teachers during a teacher shortage.  The risk of losing quality teachers is detrimental to the students learning and schools. 

- Similarly, many substitute teachers are parents of students in the district, with this change it makes it difficult for them to continue to substitute teach leaving the schools scrambling for coverage.  

-The buses during the K-2 shift will be shared with St. Mikes school, causing increased congestion around Park school that is already burdened with a lot of drop off and pick issues.  

Other options should be explored so that students, families and staff do not suffer.  Perhaps revisiting K-5 buildings is worth a looking considering it would solve the problem and save the district money. Please sign if you support the Board reversing this time change.