Title
MOTION TO APPROVE A WAIVER REQUEST TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (FLDOE) PURSUANT TO RULE 6A-10455, FAC., SEEKING AUTHORIZATION FOR THE PEMBROKE PINES CHARTER SCHOOLS TO MAINTAIN ITS EXISTING SCHOOL START AND END TIMES BASED ON STAKEHOLDER FEEDBACK AND OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL IMPACT ANALYSES.
Summary Explanation and Background
SUMMARY EXPLANATION AND BACKGROUND:
1. During the 2023 Florida Legislative Session, CS/HB 733 amended Florida Statute §1001.42(4)(f), requiring that by July 1, 2026, middle schools may not begin earlier than 8:00 a.m. and high schools may not begin earlier than 8:30 a.m. The law was widely referred to as Florida’s “later school start times” legislation and was based on adolescent sleep research and recommendations from organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
2. During the 2025 Legislative Session, Senate Bill 296 created flexibility for school districts and charter schools to request a waiver from the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE), provided that schools submit required documentation demonstrating stakeholder engagement and analysis of operational impacts.
3. The first official appearance of Rule 6A-1.0455 was published on November 20, 2025. This rule delineates the required processes and documentation needed for schools to apply for the waiver allowing schools to remain with their current start and end times (See Exhibit 1. Rule 6A-1.0455 Middle School and High School Start Times).
4. In December 2025, Broward County Public Schools, sponsoring school district for our charter schools, shared information regarding this rule and the expectation that Charter Schools submit their own documentation if they choose to move forward with the waiver application.
5. In response, the Pembroke Pines Charter Schools (PPCS) began a comprehensive review of the potential impacts associated with modifying current school start and end times. School administration shared information and gathered feedback from staff, families, students, Parent Advisory Boards, and transportation consultants regarding the proposed school times would have on student schedules, student performance, and other operational implications.
6. The City completed an analysis of the financial implications for PPCS with the proposed start times. The impact to the system based on transportation costs would increase by $3,777,907.
7. The leadership team then met to discuss various options that would have less of a financial impact on operation costs. This resulted in a plan with the proposed start times:
|
High School |
Current Start/End Time: |
Proposed Start/End Time: |
|
Students |
7:15 am - 2:00 pm |
9:30 am - 4:15 pm |
|
Staff |
7:00 am - 2:30 pm |
9:00 am - 4:30pm |
|
|
|
|
|
Elementary/ Middle Schools |
Current Start/End Time: |
Proposed Start/End Time: |
|
Students |
8:45 am - 3:15 pm |
8:00 am - 2:30 pm |
|
Staff |
8:00 am - 3:30 pm |
7:15 am - 2:45 pm |
8. In March 2026, the PPCS’ transportation provider, Transportation Authority LLC, conducted test runs on two transportation routes serving the Charter High School, West Campus, and Central Campus to evaluate the potential impact of the proposed start times on traffic patterns and route efficiency. The findings indicated that existing traffic conditions would prevent certain routes from arriving at and departing from the Charter High School within the required timeframes. Additionally, the proposed schedule changes would result in some elementary and middle school students waiting for buses before sunrise during certain times of the year.
9. In April 2026, the PPCS sent surveys to various stakeholder groups to gather feedback regarding the implications of the change in start times. The surveys asked groups whether the changes would have a positive or negative impact on student learning, employment, childcare availability, and transportation options. Stakeholders were then asked to elaborate on their answers if they would like us to consider something that may not have been in the survey. In addition, they were asked if PPCS should remain with our existing start times and move to the new proposed start times. The following summarizes the findings from the surveys:
|
Survey Group |
Number of Responses |
% Support Existing Start Times |
% Support Proposed Start Time Changes |
|
Staff |
289 |
67.80% |
32.20% |
|
Family |
2,110 |
77.50% |
22.50% |
|
Student (HS) |
810 |
87.20% |
12.80% |
10. Additional concerns identified through stakeholder surveys included increased childcare expenses, conflicts with parent and employee work schedules, reduced extracurricular participation opportunities, student transportation safety concerns, and impacts on family support structures.
11. Presentations were also shared with the PPCS School Advisory Boards where parents and community members were encouraged to share their feedback regarding the proposed start times. There was a total of five Advisory Board meetings that included this as a presentation or topic of discussion.
12. Based on the stakeholder feedback received and the financial analysis conducted, the PPCS intend to submit a waiver request to the Florida Department of Education seeking approval to maintain its existing school start and end times. Administration has determined that implementing the proposed schedule changes would create significant financial and operational challenges for the school system and would negatively impact students, families, and staff (See Exhibit 2. School Start Time Compliance Report 6A-1.0455_waiver).
13. Request City Commission approval to submit of a waiver request to the Florida Department of Education pursuant to Rule 6A-1.0455, F.A.C., seeking authorization for Pembroke Pines Charter Schools to maintain its existing school start and end times based on stakeholder feedback and operational and financial impact analyses.
Financial Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT DETAIL:
a) Initial Cost: None
b) Amount budgeted for this item in Account No: Not applicable.
c) Source of funding for difference, if not fully budgeted: Not applicable.
d) 5-year projection of the operational cost of the project: Not applicable.
e) Detail of additional staff requirements: Not applicable.
FEASIBILITY REVIEW:
A feasibility review is required for the award, renewal and/or expiration of all function sourcing contracts. This analysis is to determine the financial effectiveness of function sourcing services.
a) Was a Feasibility Review/Cost Analysis of Out-Sourcing vs. In-House Labor Conducted for this service? Not applicable. This agenda item does not involve additional outsourcing or in-house labor service delivery analysis.
b) If Yes, what is the total cost or total savings of utilizing Out-Sourcing vs. In-House Labor for this service? Not applicable.