Start Times Task Force

The pandemic forced Princeton Public Schools into a two-tier bus schedule in 2020. Primary and intermediate students are on the early tier; middle and high school students are on the second tier. With a bus driver shortage, the district has continued the two-tier system, which requires fewer drivers than a single-tier system. Now, three years into the two-tier system, the district has promised to study the impacts of school start times with the two-tier system and consider whether any changes are needed.

While on the surface, it may seem like a simple decision, start times affect every family in our school system (students and staff). To that end, the district is forming a stakeholder task force to study the issue and make a recommendation to the administration and school board.

Princeton is not the first district to undertake a study of start times. There is extensive research on school start times, and there is no easy solution. The district is seeking parents, staff, and student representatives to study the issue and become local experts on the factors for consideration and impacts on our students and families. We ask that people come into the task force with open minds, curiosity and a desire to learn. Then, make recommendations in the best interest of all students.

Princeton Public Schools is seeking students, parents, staff and community members to serve on a district-supported task force to study school start times. The task force will meet every few weeks from January through April 2024. Additional community input is welcomed so that questions, concerns, and suggestions may be addressed.