ELKHART — Some potentially big changes could be on the way for students in Elkhart. School officials are looking at modifying when the school day starts.

The district has to find a way to cut $1 million from next year's budget.

Changing the school day could save transportation costs.

“We have no choice,” said Doug Hasler, Executive Director of Support Services for Elkhart Schools. “We need to create some efficiencies in our transportation program.”

The Elkhart school system is taking a close look at revamping its bus system by tweaking when the school day begins.

“If we modify some of our stop and start times for different buildings around the school district, we could balance out our transportation in a way that would allow us to transport the same number of kids to the same buildings, with fewer buses,” Hasler explained.

Changes to all elementary, middle and high schools would be under consideration.

“[By] starting some buildings at a later time, we think we could run some of our buses to greater levels of capacity and get by without operating as many buses as we currently run,” Hasler added.

The idea of modifying start and stop times at the schools is of special interest to parents who also work within the school system.

“Well, as a teacher I'm interested, but as a parent even more because it directly affects when I have to get my child up,” said Krista Dodd.

“As a teacher and a parent, I know it can be difficult with different start and stop times. Especially with daycare involved, substitute teachers,” said Jennifer Wakeman.

“If they would change the times, it might make it easier for me to get my children to school and then get myself to work,” added Heather Weaver, a parent and para-professional.

The school system plans to hold community meetings and parent conferences to get input on the idea of modifying school start times for the next school year.

They hope to make a decision on that matter before the end of the current school year.