Galesburg District 205 Considers Later Start Times for Lombard Middle School

Proposed changes aim to address parent concerns about early bus pickups and scheduling gaps for families with multiple students.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Galesburg District 205 is reviewing options to delay start times at Lombard Middle School in response to parent feedback about early bus pickups and scheduling challenges for families with children at multiple schools. The district is considering two proposals that would shift Lombard's start time later by either 25 or 45 minutes, with the first option being cost-neutral.

Why it matters

The proposed changes aim to better accommodate families by addressing concerns about overly early morning routines and transportation difficulties caused by the current staggered start times across the district's schools.

The details

The proposals, outlined in a January 2026 analysis, come after public comments at a recent board meeting highlighted issues like 5 a.m. bus pickups and three-hour morning routines for some families. The district is looking to adjust Lombard's schedule without major cost increases, though the 45-minute delay option would require an additional $346,521 annually for extra buses to cover kindergarten through fourth grade routes.

  • Lombard Middle School currently starts at 7:30 a.m. and dismisses at 2:15 p.m.
  • Option 1 would shift Lombard to 7:55 a.m. to 2:40 p.m., a 25-minute delay.
  • Option 2 would move Lombard to 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m., a 45-minute delay.

The players

John Asplund

Superintendent of Galesburg District 205, who said the district aims to adjust times without major costs while noting transportation funding challenges.

Galesburg District 205

The school district in Galesburg, Illinois that is reviewing options to delay start times at Lombard Middle School.

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What they’re saying

“We've had some folks that have voiced their concerns that Lombard starts really early, and it does. We're looking at ways to move it back a little bit to try to help families out without costing us more transportation.”

— John Asplund, Superintendent (wgil.com)

What’s next

The Lombard bell times and boundary changes will be discussion items at the school board meeting on Monday, with votes expected in March.

The takeaway

The proposed changes to Lombard Middle School's start time aim to address longstanding parent concerns about the challenges of early morning bus pickups and scheduling conflicts for families with children at multiple schools in the district, though the district must balance these needs with transportation funding constraints.