Results from the QAE Bell Time Survey

The PTSA Legislative Team issued the QAE Bell Time Survey to poll our community on the existing and potential upcoming changes to the Seattle Public Schools Bell Times. There were 121 responses, thank you QAE! We hear you and your contributions to the ongoing discussion of Bell Times is valued! SPS has received our Survey and it has been sent to our School Board and to Pegi McEvoy (Assistant Superintendent of Operations) who are working on the Bell Times for next year. 

View the results from the survey here.

Some details on the complexity of the Bell Time Issue and where it currently stands: 
Pegi McEvoy has been diligently working on the Bell Time issue for families and the District is working on a goal to move from the current three Tier system down to a two Tier system. The current three Tier system has three different bell times with 50 minutes between each start and end time so that transportation works across the 98 schools of the District. In order to switch from three Tiers down to two Tiers there was originally a one time 3.7 million dollar cost. By making transportation changes and cost reductions, Pegi McEvoy has gotten this number down to a one time cost of 2.3 million. This current one time cost of 2.3 million to achieve the switch to two Tiers and potentially be able to offer better bell times as a result must be completed with outside funds. (Due to a current tough budget year and the potential for the Levy Cliff next year.)

Pegi McEvoy is working very hard at trying to secure this outside funding, with a deadline of May 1st. Two Tiers across the District has the potential to have great positive change for families, kiddos and schools. (and also may avert the necessity for an earlier Tier 1 bell time) If you have any leads on helping the funding issue or want to offer any other help toward this issue, please contact:

Pegi McEvoy
Assistant Superintendent of Operations
[email protected]
206-252-0707

The PTSA Legislative Team would like to thank QAE parent, Christina Thibault for her wonderful help in crafting this Survey and for the PTSA Board and Ms. Roy for being in collaboration on this effort to have our voice heard.