Pender County school board tables vote on three-tier bell schedule

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The Pender County Board of Education held a meeting Wednesday to discuss the district’s proposed three-tier bell schedule. 

At a special call-in meeting, board members received public comment on the new bell schedule.  

The proposed change came in response to a shortage of bus drivers. Under the current two-tier system, some students were reportedly getting home around 5:30 p.m. 

Though many parents and students say the proposed schedule starts school too early, and would make it harder for students to get to class on time. 

One of those commenting was Gia Earnham—an eighth grader and student athlete at Cape Fear Middle School. 

“I already get home late from games and practices, sometimes not until nine or ten o’clock at night,” she said. “There’s barely time to eat, shower, do homework, and get enough sleep. Starting school earlier would make it almost impossible to be rested and ready to learn.” 

The board chose to table a vote on the change until another virtual meeting on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m.