Major changes are coming to eastern Pender County students this August. Starting August 25, the school district will implement a three-tier bell schedule for several East-side schools – part of an effort to ease bus shortages, reduce traffic on Hwy 17, and improve instructional time.
Who’s Affected & When
- High School (Topsail High): Bus arrives ~6:50 a.m., morning bell at 7:10, dismissal at 2:05 p.m.
- Middle Schools (Surf City & Topsail Middle): Drop-off 8:10 a.m., class starts 8:40, dismissal at 3:35 p.m.
- Elementary Schools: North & South Topsail, Surf City Elementary, Topsail Annandale – buses arrive 7:25 a.m., school runs 7:55–2:50 p.m.
These time slots were approved unanimously by the Board on June 3 – even as traffic and transportation concerns lingered. WECT reported the move follows two years of planning to streamline bus usage and cut costs.
Why This Change Now?
Rapid enrollment and driver shortages have made double and triple routes routine. Superintendent Dr. Brad Breedlove said, “This new schedule is a win‑win for our district. It improves instructional time for students, while creating stable, full‑time job opportunities for our drivers.” Hampstead resident and parent blogged that mornings on Hwy 17 can now last 30–45 minutes longer as crews work on the bypass – adding stress and unpredictability.
Highway 17 & the Bypass Factor
The ongoing Hwy 17 bypass project between Hampstead and Surf City has added added congestion, lane shifts, and crew delays. Dr. Breedlove highlighted the importance of staggered school routes: “As many of you know, Highway 17… is very crowded,” he told WECT. The goal is to reduce the risk of morning accidents and long lines near shared campuses.
Parents Respond
Many parents appreciate the planning, but some worry about logistics. Board member Tom Reeves said during the June meeting: “We’ve got to do something… I can’t count the hours we’ve spent asking parents, ‘What do you think?’” However, critics launched a petition claiming the board held meetings during weekday mornings – limiting public feedback. One Hampstead mom wrote, “Our children may be left alone at bus stops while we’re at work.” More parents voiced similar concerns.
Before‑School Care: Support & Schedule
To help families juggling drop-offs, before‑school care will be offered at Topsail and Surf City campuses. Surf City care runs 7:25–8:10 a.m., while Topsail Campus opens at 7:10–8:10 a.m. Costs are $22/week per child, and registration starts July 28. WWAY News confirms that staff will escort middle-schoolers dropped off early to their buildings.
What Should Families Do?
- Update routines: bus pick-up times shift depending on grade.
- Register for before‑school care ASAP if you have multiple kids.
- Expect delays on Hwy 17 during peak hours and consider alternate routes.
- Stay tuned for real-time traffic and weather updates via our weather hub.
Additional school information will be available via the district and our community pages for Surf City, Topsail Beach, and Hampstead.
Do you have feedback or want to share how this shift is affecting your family? We’re collecting parent Q&A and feedback to publish as part of an update in early August.
