School Weekly Early Release Change Sparks Parental Outcry

ALACHUA ‒ Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) announced on July 18, 2024, a significant change to the Early Release Wednesdays schedule, effective with the upcoming 2024-25 school year starting on Aug. 12. Under the newly approved plan, Early Release Wednesdays will be limited to the third Wednesday of each month.

In a written statement, ACPS Spokesperson Jackie Johnson explained, “Under an agreement between Alachua County Public Schools and the Alachua County Education Association, which represents most district employees, early release Wednesdays will be limited to the third Wednesday of each month for the 2024-25 school year.”

The change will impact all elementary schools in the district, as well as students at High Springs Community School, A. Quinn Jones School, and Sidney Lanier School, which follow the early release schedule. The newly-reopened Duval Early Learning Academy for prekindergarten students will also be affected.

Previously, students at the affected schools were released 68 minutes early every Wednesday, allowing time for teacher planning, meetings, and other activities. ACPS Superintendent Shane Andrew noted that the new schedule will add approximately six days of instructional time to the school year. Teachers will have planning time on regular Wednesdays while their students are in other classes.

“We appreciate ACEA’s willingness to work with us on this change,” said Superintendent Andrew. “It will give our students much more direct instructional time, which is critical to raising their academic achievement.”

Johnson also mentioned that in March 2025, the early release Wednesday will be on the fourth Wednesday, March 26, to avoid conflicting with the public school spring break.

A full schedule of start and dismissal times for the upcoming school year, including early release Wednesdays, is available at the School Board of Alachua County's website at https://www.sbac.edu/schoolhours. Johnson confirmed that families have been notified of the change through email, phone, and text messages for those who opted into the district’s texting notification system.

The decision has sparked controversy among some parents, caregivers, and the public. With the new school year just weeks away, many parents are scrambling to adjust their schedules to accommodate the School Board’s decision.

Concerns have been raised about the lack of parental involvement in the decision-making process and the impact on families' ability to maintain regularly scheduled appointments on early release Wednesdays. Additionally, some foresee challenges in keeping track of the third Wednesday of the month, predicting that students might be left at school as parents and caregivers adjust to the new schedule.

Despite the controversy, ACPS appears determined to adhere to the once-a-month Early Release Wednesday plan, emphasizing the benefits of increased instructional time for students.

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