The shortage of bus drivers has prompted Merrillville schools to change their start and dismissal times.
Starting in August, Merrillville High School and Pierce Middle School will be in session from 7:40 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The school day at all five elementary schools will last from 8:25 a.m. to 3:05 p.m., while Merrillville Intermediate School will be in session from 9:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
The new schedule was approved by the school board last week.
Superintendent Nicholas Brown said in a press release that the school corporation has been working for the past year to recruit drivers, with advertising, job fairs and pay raises. But rather than hoping more drivers apply before school starts, school officials have decided to make the schedule change now to give parents and guardians time to adjust their schedules.
