Manatee County School Board seeks input on start times

Research data has the Manatee County School Board discussing the benefits of a later daily start time for students.

During a workshop, board members talked about data that has shown the statistical benefits of starting school later in the morning, especially for high school and middle school, according to a press release.

The data came from a publication of American Academy of Pediatrics, released Aug. 25, 2014, in the organization’s journal, Pediatrics.

“A substantial body of research has now demonstrated that delaying school start times is an effective countermeasure to chronic sleep loss and has a wide range of potential benefits to students with regard to physical and mental health, safety, and academic achievement. The American Acad- emy of Pediatrics strongly supports the efforts of school districts to optimize sleep in students and urges high schools and middle schools to aim for start times that allow students the opportunity to achieve optimal levels of sleep (8.5–9.5 hours).” — Abstract from School Start Times for Adolescents, Pediatrics

According to a presentation to the board, even a 30-minute bump up in time could help reduce sleepiness, behavioral problems and absenteeism and increase concentration and focus.

The board asked district staff to conduct a survey of parents and community members to measure their ideas and opinions of school start times.

The survey was posted using SurveyMonkey and can be found on the homepage of the school district’s website, or by clicking here.

Survey takers will be asked to select one of three options: keeping current start times, switching start times and pushing start times later.

Current school start times ate 8:20 a.m. for elementary, 9:20 a.m. for middle, and 7:30 a.m. for high school.

No decision about changing start times has been made and no item has been set in a future agenda to make a decision. The board is only seeking public input at this time.