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. Sc...
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