CENTRAL FLORIDA -- Despite protests from parents, the Orange County school board voted Wednesday to change the school schedules in order to save money.
The 4 to 3 vote came down after midnight.
Next fall, middle school students will start classes at 7:30 a.m. and high school students will start at 9:30 a.m.
The district said it would need 37 fewer buses because of the change, saving them about $2 million.
While many parents are fuming, the final vote drew mixed reaction.
"The vote is for $2.3 million, which is a small, small portion of the $70 million that's a shortfall. And they're turning the community upside down for a small amount that needs to be recouped from the budget," said Patty Stewart, who is against the schedule swap.
"I think the fear this is going to interrupt sports and extracurricular activities has been overblown, and I think we're going to find, as many school districts across the country have found, that this is beneficial," said Kit Pepper, who favors the swap.
The district said buses should be making three pickups in the morning and afternoon, but under the current schedule, many high school buses don't have the time to pick up middle and elementary school students.
Seminole Looks For Ways To Cut Budget
The Seminole County School district is looking for a way to tighten their belts and meet a budget shortfall of more than $22 million.
At a meeting Tuesday night, the school board looked at cutting the county's Student Museum and Environmental Center.
The school superintendent is recommending the two sites remain open next year for field trips, but on a scaled-back schedule.
The district said the cuts could be painful.
"There will be pain because you're going to see some things are being cut but when you look at the basic target of education -- the fundamentals of educating students in the classroom. We're trying very hard to hold those classrooms and those children harmless," said Regina Klaers, a spokeswoman for the Seminole County Schools.
The school district said 170 teachers are being let go in Seminole County next year.
A vote on a final budget is expected in July.
Comment on this story.