An increase in the required number of instructional hours for elementary students in New Mexico forced a shift of the start and end times for all Las Cruces Public Schools students in the upcoming 2023-2024 school year.
At the April 25 regular meeting of the LCPS Board of Education, a solution was presented that would satisfy the required number of instructional hours, which is 1,140 according to House Bill 130. To bridge the gap from the previous 990 hours included in the district’s approved balanced calendar, 10 minutes will be added to the elementary school day.
“In order to minimize any disruptions for families and transportation, and to ensure elementary students aren’t waiting at the bus stop earlier in the morning hours, we chose to add the 10 minutes to the end of the day,” explained Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Wendi Miller-Tomlinson, who added that transportation will be adjusted accordingly.
Moving from the current school year, the start and end times for each grade level will be:
| ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS | ||
| 22/23 SY | 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Current school year. |
| 23/24 SY | 8:00 a.m. - 2:40 p.m. | School day increased by 10 minutes due to HB 130 legislation. |
| MIDDLE SCHOOLS | ||
| 22/23 SY | 8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. | Current school year. |
| 23/24 SY | 8:55 a.m. – 3:55 p.m. | School day starts 10 minutes later and ends 10 minutes later. Length of the school day remains the same. |
| HIGH SCHOOLS | ||
| 22/23 SY | 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Current school year. |
| 23/24 SY | 8:25 a.m. – 3:25 p.m. | School day starts 5 minutes earlier and ends 5 minutes earlier. Length of the school day remains the same. |
The school schedule for Rio Grande Preparatory Institute and Arrowhead Park Early College High School will remain unchanged, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Miller-Tomlinson further clarified for the board that obtaining state approval of the district’s proposed budget by the New Mexico Public Education Department would mean satisfying the required number of instructional hours for all students.
LCPS families will be receiving updates on start and end times via email, and information will also be posted on the district website, www.lcps.net.
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