OKCPS Time Changes To Begin Monday

School start and end times are changing for several Oklahoma City Public Schools for the upcoming 2016-2017 school year.

OKCPS say that due to important budget issues the district has several cost saving measures for the upcoming year.

According to administrators by changing the start and end times for seven schools, OKCPS will save $700,000. Eliminating the need for additional bus routes and drivers are a result of this.

By lowering the number of bus routes, the cost for fuel, tires, oil changes, drivers, and repairs will bring the cost down. 

Schools affected by the change will have later start and end time hours from 9:10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The following schools are affected by the schedule change:

• Capitol Hill Elementary
• Classen School of Advanced Studies
• Cleveland Elementary
• Horace Mann Elementary
• Kaiser Elementary
• Mark Twain Elementary
• Westwood Elementary

OKCPS has informed parents, students, and staff about the change that will take effect on August 1, 2016.

Each OKCPS building will have one of three tiers for the new school hours. Schools on Tier 1 operate from 7:35 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.  Tier 2 schools are open 8;20 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Schools on Tier 3 will begin at 9:10 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m.

There are concerns the change will hurt low income families so the district is working on before and after school programs. 

This is just one of many changes the district has made as a result of the $30 million budget shortfall. Some staff positions and school programs were cut as part of this budget gap.

Oklahoma City Public Schools also start this school year with a new leader. Aurora Lora took over as superintendent this summer after Rob Neu resigned.