SCHOOL START TIMES

In the Spring of 2017 VBCPS conducted a survey that asked if respondents favored a later school start time for adolescents. The initial survey indicated that the community supported this idea.

After much research and planning, staff provided the Board with their final recommendations on Tuesday:
Elementary A schools: 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Elementary B schools: 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Middle schools: 8:40 a.m. – 3:10 p.m.
High schools: 9:20 a.m. – 4:10 p.m.

Additional one time costs of $2.5 million (for field lighting) plus 80 more hours of bus driver time per day (approx $325,000/year).

My colleague Laura Hughes and I have asked for the Superintendent and Board to conduct a final survey now that all costs and final times are known. I do not know if that request will be approved.

I do have a high schooler, so I understand first hand the impacts of this decision. I also understand the benefits of later start times for adolescents.

It is imperative for me to know what the community wants. So, I hope that the Board will agree to a final survey on the topic with all of the information asking the public if they are in favor of making a change or keeping the times the same.
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The group e-mail for the board if you wish to provide input directly is: vbcpsschoolboard@googlegroups.com