Local Schools Adjust Bell Times Amid Spiderweb Road Construction Chaos

By Janell Williams

High school students across Muscogee County are experiencing a dramatic shift in daily schedules due to ongoing road construction, leaving parents scrambling and administrators defending the sudden change.

Travis Anderson, chief operations officer, defended the district's decision.

"We had to make a quick decision when there's a quick issue," Anderson said. "We try to be proactive, as opposed to waiting until after the project started."

The new schedule, implemented after spring break, was in direct response to major road work affecting school bus routes. However, parents expressed frustration with the logistical challenges.

"I have to be at work at 8 a.m. Thank God I’m not a single parent and we have more than one vehicle, because if not I’d be screwed," said Tosheka Williams, a working parent with children in different grades. "Many parents and I are having to choose between working and sending our kids to school for a decision that came with no warning."

“We have a fifth grader, a kindergartener and a junior. I have to pick up my smallest children and keep them entertained and quiet at my business for over two hours until my oldest gets out of school,” another parent said.

Anderson acknowledged the complexity, noting that "sometimes when we're making those decisions, somebody is always going to be impacted one way or the other."

The district reports no significant negative impacts on attendance, with school officials observing that students who were previously late remain late under the new schedule.

"No matter what time the school day starts, people are going to be late," Anderson explained.

The road construction project is expected to continue for approximately two years, with the district planning to reassess the schedule for the 2025-2026 school year.

"We are being intentional to do what's best for our students," Anderson emphasized, particularly in preparation for upcoming testing periods.

While no formal parent meetings are currently scheduled, the district remains open to feedback. Board meetings occur twice monthly, with details available on the district's website.

"We don't want to waste parents' time with unnecessary meetings," Anderson said. "But we're absolutely willing to listen if there's a genuine need."