Later High School Start Times, Busing Changes To Be Discussed In Bridgewater-Raritan

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Later high school start times and changes to transportation will be discussed at the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional Board of Education(BOE)'s meeting on Sept. 9.

Mike Archer, the Director of Transportation Services for the Center of Effective School Operations, will review the district's current transportation offerings and present two options for the 2026-27 school year.

"Both options aim to recover instructional time lost during the 2021 transportation crisis, with one option proposing a high school start time of 8 a.m. instead of 7:20 a.m.," according to the district.

Archer previously presented options to the BOE in May 2023; however, more discussion and planning were needed.

The district is expecting significant changes in September 2026, such as the introduction of full-day kindergarten and grade shifts at the primary, intermediate, and middle schools.

"This transportation analysis will help the district prepare for these changes and provide guidance to make our system more effective," according to the district.

The transportation services discussion will be held at the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at the Wade Administration Building, 836 Newmans Lane, Bridgewater at 7 p.m.

Residents are invited to attend the meeting in person or virtually to learn more about this topic.

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