By Andy Dahn
NORMAL – After months of discussion about proposed changes to district school start and end times, the Unit 5 School Board approved a new set of times Wednesday night.
The unanimous vote means Unit 5 elementary students will start at 7:45 a.m., an hour earlier than usual. Junior high students will begin at 8:30 a.m., rather than 7:45 a.m. and high school students will start at 8:45 a.m., rather than 7:15 a.m.
THE NEW TIMES:
Elementary: 7:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Junior High: 8:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m.
High School: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
District Superintendent Mark Daniel said while there is a great deal of work ahead, he’s excited about the changes.
“I think the board really reflected, studied and decided to make this work for the district,” Daniel said. “I think they’re challenging all of us, our entire community. That’s really where we are in the state of Illinois. It’s really challenging every member of our community if you want to have great schools.”
The time changes are a result of the district consolidating bus routes in an attempt to erase a $1.3 million deficit in the transportation fund. Discussions have gone on for months as many students, parents and staff members have voiced opinions of support and concern. Twenty-six parents and staff members spoke during Wednesday’s meeting, many in support of the changes. For those still concerned and doubting the changes, Daniel said communication will be key moving forward.
“Continue to stay in the discussion,” said Daniel. “Continue to let us know what’s not working and we’ll work together to figure out possible solutions. I think that’s a strength of this community, it doesn’t settle. Instead, it finds ways to make things work.”
Daniel added that the issues start at the state level and that community members making their voices heard is the only way to get things moving in the right direction.
“We better start asking what we’re going to do about this situation,” Daniel said. “We need to come to resolution, we need a budget and we need to push forward. Quite frankly, I think everyone would agree that the funding formula is broken and needs to be fixed. Just as we’re getting to work, our state legislators need to get to work to find solutions.”
The changes will take effect at the start of the 2016-2017 academic year.
Andy Dahn can be reached at andy.dahn@cumulus.com.
