By Adam Studzinski
NORMAL – Unit 5’s superintendent has recommended a change in start times for district schools.
The district has been examining altering school start times as a way to cut down on transportation costs and close a $1.3 million gap in the transportation fund.
During Wednesday night’s Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Mark Daniel has recommended elementary schools start at 7:45 a.m., high schools start at 8:30 a.m., and junior highs begin at 8:45 a.m.
“We’re about maximizing student learning,” said Daniel. “I think hearing our elementary teachers and educators coming forward, saying, ‘Yeah, truly, elementary students, their peak learning time is in the a.m.’ Knowing that the high school and junior high, their peak time is not at 7:15 in the morning.”
Daniel added if the new start times are approved, there will still be a lot of work to do before the next school year begins to implement the change.
“If the board does decide to go forward, then we need to start the discussion of, let’s work on childcare. Let’s work on, perhaps, zero hour for some of our students, if that’s what they’re interested in,” he said.
The school board is expected to meet next week to vote on the recommendations.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].
