State-Journal.com - Board will consider later start times next month

Franklin County middle and high school students could start the day 40 minutes later when the academic year begins in August, under a plan that school board members will consider next month.

The proposed start time of 8:40 a.m. would eliminate a disparity between the hours worked by elementary school teachers and those at upper grades, says Superintendent Harrie Buecker.

Some middle and high school teachers spend 45 to 50 hours more in the classroom each year, Buecker told school board members Monday, though all are paid for the same 187 days of work.

She said the issue was first brought up by the Franklin County Education Association a year and a half ago, when board member Michelle New was president.

A former teacher at Bridgeport Elementary, New is no longer employed by the school district.

The proposal would push the morning bell from 8 a.m. to 8:40 a.m. at middle and high schools. Elementary schools would not be affected, and dismissal times would stay the same.

Buecker pointed to nationwide studies, and successful adjustments to later start times in Jessamine and Fayette counties in her presentation to the board Monday.

She said the change could improve test scores, behavior and reduce the number of tardy students.

“We recognize that change is always difficult and a challenge, and we wouldn’t recommend this if we didn’t think it was what is best for students,” she said.

But parents have expressed concern about being able to drop their children off at school, and still make it to work on time.

They are also worried about the impact a shorter day will have on academics.

Bus runs would be doubled in the morning, Buecker said, with elementary students riding separately from middle and high schoolers. Drivers would be paid for any additional time on the job, she said.

Study halls or other supervised activities would be provided for students who arrive at school early. The school district is willing to work with parents to determine what time the doors will open, she said.

Buecker said she hopes more students ride the school bus as a result of the change.

Later start times would mean students will spend less time in school – one to four fewer hours per week, depending on the school.

Deborah Wigginton, director of student services for FCPS, said Elkhorn Middle School students would go from 33 hours a week this year to 30 under the proposal.

The number would drop from 33 to 29 at Bondurant Middle School; 31 to 29 at Franklin County High School; and from 31 to 30 at Western Hills High School.

Buecker promised board members that “no instructional time” would be lost as a result of the change. She said the lost minutes could come from shortening lunches – from 35 to 22 minutes in some cases – or eliminating down time, like homeroom.

Franklin County students currently spend more time in class each year than the state requirement of 1,062 hours.

The Kentucky Department of Education formerly allowed school districts to “bank time” beyond the minimum, which could be used to make up snow days. But that changed in 2006, when the legislature began requiring 177 six-hour days.

Vice Chair Larry Perkins said Monday that his constituents who work for the state are worried about making it to work by 8 a.m., if school starts later.

Board member Doug Crowe said the parents who have called him are not opposed to the concept of later start times, but they want to know the details of how the change will affect their schedules.

Chairman Tim Metzger said he is “reserving judgment” on the plan until the board considers approval at its July 6 meeting. He said it is important to do what is best for students, and what is fair for teachers.

The Board of Education meets again Monday, July 6, at 7 p.m. at Central Office. Public comment will be permitted, but audience members must sign up to speak. Comments will be limited to three minutes, following the board’s guidelines.