The Robbinsdale Area Schools Board approved controversial bell time changes and expanded walk zones Monday night, generating approximately $728,000 in transportation savings amid a $21 million budget deficit.

The board voted 5-2 to implement new bell times that will significantly impact Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion (RSI), moving the school's start time from 9:20 a.m. to 7:40 a.m. to align with other elementary schools. The change faced strong opposition from RSI families, with 73.5% of survey respondents preferring to keep the current schedule.

Board members also unanimously approved expanding walk zones from 0.5 miles to 0.8 miles for elementary students and from 0.7 miles to one mile for middle school students. The transportation changes are part of broader cost-cutting measures as the district grapples with financial challenges.

Superintendent Dr. Terry Stalo acknowledged the difficulty of the decisions, noting that 80% of the district's budget supports staff positions. The board previously approved $17.4 million in reductions last year, though $14 million of those cuts were never implemented, contributing to the current deficit.

During the meeting, the board also welcomed new member Dr. Kenneth Wong, who was sworn in and declared a conflict of interest due to his wife's employment as a district teacher. The board addressed various operational matters including safety protocols and committee restructuring as they work to stabilize district finances.