CPS changes 2015-2016 bell times to help budget

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago Public Schools says it will preserve $13.5 million in classroom funding by changing school bell times and transportation in the 2015-2016 school year.

CPS says 82 high schools and elementary schools will change their bell times next year, which will allow the cash-strapped school system to streamline transportation district-wide.

"Every dollar we save by staggering school bell times and streamlining transportation services next school year is one more dollar we don't have to cut from our classrooms," said newly-appointed CPS CEO Forrest Claypool. "No matter how grave our financial challenges are, we are committed to our students' learning and their safety."

CPS says the plan to shift bus arrival times is the result of analysis that revealed Chicago's transportation costs outpace those at other large, urban districts. Chicago Public Schools

The majority of schools will keep their 2014-2015 start times according to CPS officials. You can read the full list of schools affected by the here.