League Supports Florida Bill to Repeal State-Directed School Start Times

The League of Women Voters of Manatee County sent support for repealing FS1001.42, 1, f, 4 to the Superintendent of Manatee Schools and each member of the Manatee County Florida Legislative Delegation. The Legislative Delegation consists of Representatives Robinson, Conerly, and Owen, as well as Senators Boyd and Gruters. The current statute requires, starting with the 2026-27 school year, middle schools must not start the instructional day before 8:00 a.m. and high schools must not start the instructional day before 8:30 a.m. This preempts home rule and can unnecessarily complicate the management of schools and transportation.

"Dear Dr. Wysong,

League of Women Voters of Manatee County supports the repeal of FS1001.42, 1, f, 4 because we agree that the Florida legislature should honor the home rule provision of the Florida Constitution and leave school-day start time decisions to school districts, which know best the needs of their students.

However, we urge SDMC to employ data-based decision-making in determining school-day start times. Specifically, the research is clear that adolescent brain functioning is not optimum early in the morning, lending credence to later school-day start times for secondary schools. Although we understand the transportation challenges in accommodating these adolescent learning needs, we would argue that academic achievement goals are well served by addressing the school-day start time issue. LWV MC would be happy to work with the district to explore options that consider research on adolescent learning while navigating transportation challenges."

The following was simultaneously sent to each of the Manatee County Florida Legislative Delegation:

"Dear Representative/Senator,

The League of Women Voters of Manatee County supports the repeal of FS1001.42, 1, f, 4, because we agree that the Florida legislature should honor the home rule provision of the Florida Constitution and leave school-day start time decisions to school districts, which know best the needs of their students.
Although we recognize that the research on learning clearly shows that adolescents do not do well early in the morning, mandating later school-day start times is a preemption of home rule that we think is ill-advised for several reasons. Key among them is that the complexities of transportation in school districts have rendered the existing statute an unfunded mandate that is extremely burdensome to school districts.

Please leave school-day start times to the school districts and their communities to address in a way that is consistent with research and practicable to implement. Repeal FS1001.42,1, f, 4."

Ruth Harenchar, Co-President
N. Alice Newlon, Co-President
League of Women Voters of Manatee Count