We, the concerned students, parents, staff, and community members of Lee County, urge the School District of Lee County to halt the implementation of the Safe Start Initiative. While we understand the intent behind adjusting school start times, we believe this plan creates more problems than it solves.

The Safe Start Initiative proposes to significantly alter school start times across Lee County with the stated goal of improving transportation efficiency and student safety. However, many students, families, and educators believe that the plan will have serious negative consequences for the daily lives and academic success of our students.

The proposed schedule changes will:

• Disrupt students’ sleep schedules, particularly for high schoolers who already face early start times. Scientific research shows that teenagers require more sleep and perform better in school with later start times.

• Complicate family routines, including transportation arrangements and work schedules for parents and guardians.

• Affect extracurricular activities, sports, and student jobs, which are essential parts of student life and development.

• Place an added burden on teachers and staff who will also have to adjust to an inconsistent and potentially harmful new schedule.

The Safe Start Initiative may prioritize bus schedules and operational logistics, but it does so at the expense of student well-being, academic performance, and family stability.

We ask the School District of Lee County to:

1. Pause the implementation of the Safe Start Initiative.

2. Reevaluate the plan with more community input, including from students, parents, and teachers.

3. Explore alternative solutions that do not come at the cost of student health and success.

Sign this petition today to let the School District know that we do not support the Safe Start Initiative.

MORE FROM THE SDLC WEBSITE:

2025-2026 School Bell Times
The Safe Start Initiative is a significant step forward in ensuring the safety and efficiency of our transportation system. With a clear focus on enhancing the experience for both students and staff, this initiative is not just about better schedules—it's about building a future where our system is safer, more reliable, and sustainable for years to come in the School District of Lee County. By improving bus routes, tackling driver shortages, and ensuring timely arrivals, we’re making a tangible difference in our students’ daily lives.

But that’s not all—the Safe Start Initiative also unlocks additional instructional minutes in the day, empowering our students to achieve even greater success. We understand that these changes might require some adjustment to your family’s routine, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. With the Safe Start Initiative, we’re not just changing schedules; we’re creating a brighter future for our students and our community.
In partnership and with feedback from the School Board, Principals, and TALC, the Safe Start Initiative creates three tiers of start times instead of the current four. With the School Board's approval, the start and end times for the 2025-2026 school year would be:

Elementary Schools
8:40 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.Allen Park Elementary
Amanecer Elementary
Bonita Springs Elementary
Caloosa Elementary
Cape Elementary
Colonial Elementary
Diplomat Elementary
Dr. Carrie D. Robinson Littleton Elementary
Edgewood Academy
Edison Park Creative and Expressive Arts School
Fort Myers Beach Elementary
Franklin Park Elementary
G. Weaver Hipps Elementary
Gateway Elementary
Gulf Elementary
Hancock Creek Elementary
Harns Marsh Elementary
Heights Elementary
J. Colin English Elementary
James Stephens Elementary
Lehigh Elementary
Manatee Elementary
Mirror Lakes Elementary
Orange River Elementary
Orangewood Elementary
Patriot Elementary
Pelican Elementary
Pine Island Elementary
Pinewoods Elementary
Ray V. Pottorf Elementary
Rayma C. Page Elementary
River Hall Elementary
San Carlos Park Elementary
Spring Creek Elementary
Sunshine Elementary
Tanglewood Elementary
Three Oaks Elementary
Tice Elementary
Tortuga Preserve Elementary
Trafalgar Elementary
Treeline Elementary
Tropic Isles Elementary
Villas Elementary
7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Hector A. Cafferata, Jr. Elementary
Skyline Elementary
K-8 Combination Schools
7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts
The Alva School
Bayshore School
The Sanibel School
Veterans Park Academy for the Arts
Middle Schools
9:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Bonita Springs Middle Center for the Arts
Caloosa Middle
Challenger Middle
Cypress Lake Middle
Diplomat Middle
Fort Myers Middle
Gulf Middle
Harns Marsh Middle
Lehigh Acres Middle
Lemuel Teal Middle
Lexington Middle
Mariner Middle
Oak Hammock Middle
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle
Three Oaks Middle
Trafalgar Middle
Varsity Lakes Middle
High Schools
7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Bonita Springs High
Cape Coral High
Cypress Lake High
Dunbar High
East Lee County High
Estero High
Fort Myers High
Gateway High
Ida S. Baker High
Island Coast High
Lehigh Senior High
Mariner High
North Fort Myers High
Riverdale High
South Fort Myers High
Special Centers
8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Cape Coral Technical College
Fort Myers Technical College
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Lee Virtual School
8:40 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.

Young Parent Education Program
9:35 a.m. to 4:05 p.m.

Early Childhood Learning CenterHead Start School Hours: 8:55 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Infant & Toddler School Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
9:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Royal Palm Exceptional Center
Buckingham Exceptional Student Center
Success Academy

The three-tiered start system builds upon the efficiency already provided to busing by proximity-based school assignment zones. Spacing start times an hour apart allows drivers to finish one tier before moving onto the next. Students will spend less time waiting for a bus and more time engaged in learning. Drivers will be better focused on safety and reliability.

Once in place, the School District will monitor the system to make any necessary adjustments.

https://www.leeschools.net/parent_portal/safe_start_initiative