RPS board changes start date for bell time change

ROCHESTER, Minn. (FOX 47) — In a meeting Tuesday evening, the Rochester Public Schools board moved up the start date for the change in school start times.

The change will now begin with the 2021-2022 school year.

The plan, known as “Option B” has middle and high schoolers starting at 8:20 a.m. with high schoolers ending classes at 3:30 p.m. while middle schoolers end their days at 3 p.m.

The school day for elementary school students would run from 9:35 a.m. to 4 p.m.

When Option B was first adopted last fall, the plan was to begin that schedule with the 2022-2023 school year. Tuesday’s unanimous vote moves the plan up a year.