LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – JCPS Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood is planning to recommend adjusting school start times for the 2026-27 school year.
According to JCPS spokesperson Carolyn Callahan, Superintendent Yearwood will recommend adjusting the district’s three-tiered school bell schedule by moving all start and dismissal times 20 minutes earlier.
Callahan says the proposal comes from feedback Dr. Yearwood received directly from school leaders and staff.
“We have heard clearly from our principals and staff that the 9:40 a.m. start time is adding pressure to our teams,” Dr. Yearwood said. “This adjustment will help us better support our educators while still maintaining our focus on student learning.”
Start and dismissal times would adjust as follows:
- 7:30 a.m.–2:10 p.m. would shift to 7:10 a.m.–1:50 p.m.
- 8:40 a.m.–3:20 p.m. would shift to 8:20 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
- 9:40 a.m.–4:20 p.m. would shift to 9:20 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
This would be the third change to start times since the 2023-2024 school year, when the longstanding two-tiered start time system was increased to nine different times. Adjustments were made once again for the 2024-25 school year when the district switched to the three times that are currently in use.
Dr. Yearwood is set to make his recommendation during the Jefferson County Board of Education meeting on Dec. 9, where the board will also discuss the superintendent’s proposal to close and consolidate some schools in an attempt to overcome the district’s budget deficit.
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