School district changes bell times, 200 driver jobs cut

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

The Clark County School District on Friday announced new bell times for 139 schools next year as part of a reorganization to save $10 million.

School bell times will be adjusted by 30 minutes or more at half of the schools. The new times can be found online at lvrj.com or at the school district’s website, ccsd.net.

The district is reorganizing the bell times so buses can serve more schools. The staggered schedule will allow the district to eliminate 200 buses and jobs for 200 drivers.

The district maintains 1,500 buses and employs about 1,350 drivers but 75 driver positions are currently vacant.

John Carr, president of the Education Support Employees Association and a school bus driver, called the plan “ludicrous” and unfair to bus drivers.

District officials say the changes are necessary because of rising fuel prices and a funding shortfall of $407 million anticipated for 2011-12. The $10 million in savings could fund 143 teaching positions.

The School Board on Wednesday approved the bus plan as part of its $1.8 billion tentative budget for next year.