Advertisement Anne Arundel to host forums on school start, dismissal times Plan would go into effect in 2017-18 school year if approved Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Anne Arundel County Public Schools will host four community forums to provide information and solicit community feedback regarding a proposal to tentatively shift school start and dismissal times.The proposal, which would require full funding and broad community support, would begin in the 2017-18 school year, Anne Arundel County schools Superintendent George Arlotto said.Arlotto included $8.1 million to fund the shift beginning in August 2017 in his fiscal 2017 budget recommendation. According to Anne Arundel County school officials, the funding would be combined with $602,000 allocated by the County Council this year to enact a plan that would see high schools start at 8:30 a.m., middle schools begin no earlier than 9:30 a.m., and elementary schools open between 7:50 and 9:15 a.m. No school would dismiss later than 4:15 p.m.“If we as a county are truly serious about moving forward as a school system and about adjusting school hours, we must commit to providing the funding to do so and not do it at the expense of our people or our programs,” Arlotto said in a statement.School officials said they are targeting the 2017-18 school year, which will give the system time to secure the necessary funding for additional buses and to hire and train the necessary drivers and bus aides.Arlotto said the funding is required to move forward with the plan and urged the County Council and County Executive Steve Schuh not to take money from other areas of the school system's budget to make the proposal a reality.All forums are open to the public and will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the following times and locations:- Wednesday, Jan. 27, at Broadneck High School, 1265 Green Holly Drive in Annapolis (Spanish interpreters will be available at this meeting)- Tuesday, Feb. 2, at North County High School, 10 E. 1st Avenue in Glen Burnie- Thursday, Feb. 4, at South River High School, 201 Central Avenue East in Edgewater- Monday, Feb. 8, at Old Mill High School, 600 Patriot Lane in Millersville.The proposal is the latest chapter in a long-running debate on how to address early school state times for Anne Arundel students, many of whom now have to be outside at the bus stop before 6 a.m.For a detailed look at the proposal, click here.