OXFORD — Neither teachers at Stewart Elementary nor parents at Maud Marshall Elementary want to see a change in the starting times of Talawanda elementary schools if it means Marshall's fifth-graders will be on a different bell schedule than their schoolmates.

        That message was repeated over and over during an hourlong discussion at a Talawanda Board of Education work session this week. Educators are looking at the possibility of reducing buses — saving up to $100,000 annually — by changing the starting and ending times of the three elementary schools by 15 minutes.

        That would allow Laidlaw Transit to pick up middle and high school students together, then Stewart and Marshall students. The last run would be for students attending Kramer Elementary.

        Because Marshall lacks space, its fifth-graders must attend classes at Stewart.

        But to make the change, the shuttle bus that takes Marshall's fifth-graders to Stewart would not arrive until 30 minutes after classes begin. To keep the school day the same length for all, Marshall students would have to stay 30 minutes later than schoolmates.

        And that, many say, isn't acceptable. It's hard enough for Marshall students to get to know other fifth-graders from other elementary schools who have been together one or more years, parents and teachers say.

        “We would like to talk about it. We don't want that,” said parent Sue Seyberth, president of Marshall's parent-teacher group. “Why would we put (our kids) through this turmoil?”

        Board President William Vollmer said a decision won't be made until March or April.

        “There's a lot more gathering of information we need to do. What's best for kids isn't always the cheapest way,” said Mr. Vollmer.

Westwood hosts tour of sections in decline
Bones turn out to be man missing 35 years
Lawyer: Villa Hills risks lawsuit
Probe of morgue photos continues
Fans object to Bengals' pay-up notice
SAMPLES: Use taxes
Boehner: Schools cry for reforms
Cutback in buses opposed
With surplus, Norwood modernizes
Campaign odyssey at end for Northern Kentucky pair
County urged to drop jail suit
Court rejects appeal in baby killer's case
'Guru' preaches regional sharing
HOWARD: Neighborhoods
Man convicted of kidnapping, sex charges
MCNUTT: Butler patrol
Past ways today's topics
Red tape blamed in defunct prison work program
Suspect in killing faces bond hearing
Taft says Ohio will be national player
Truck fumes sicken officers
UK grad among final 3 for presidency
UK student president censured
Wendell Ford will sit out this inauguration
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report