The following is a press release from the Northshore School District.
The Northshore School District Board of Directors has researched and discussed the issue of high school start times over the past several years and is scheduled to review results of surveys it conducted in November of parents, community members and staff members at a study session on Jan. 13, from 1–3:30 p.m., in Room 101 of the NSD Administrative Center at 3330 Monte Villa Parkway in Bothell.
“The school board is looking forward to a robust discussion next Tuesday. The board agrees that a later high school start time is ideal,” said Board President Janet Quinn. “We also recognize that we have complex academic and operational challenges to navigate as we seek a solution that is fiscally responsible and doesn’t negatively impact academic programs and opportunities for students.”
Survey results reflect support among parents, staff and community for later high school start times. Primary reasons are based on information that later high school start times will reduce absenteeism, reduce teen traffic accidents and support student achievement.
Additionally, respondents agree with the recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics that high schools should start later due to how adolescent sleep cycles change at the start of puberty.
Survey results also show a decrease in support if there are increased costs associated with later high school start times or if it would impact before-school elementary music programs. School start time information, including survey results and associated studies, is posted online at www.nsd.org/hsstarttimes.
The district’s academic programs direct the transportation model, which determines school start and dismissal times.
District buses operate in a three- to four-tier system and nearly every bus completes up to four runs each morning and afternoon, with activities, field trips and other shuttles worked into that schedule. For example, a bus could complete a high school pick-up/drop-off, junior high school pick-up/drop-off, early elementary school pick-up/drop-off and a late elementary school pick-up/drop-off.
Shuttles for before-school elementary music, satellite programs (e.g., automotive technology, computer science, culinary arts, health services, etc.), junior high school advanced classes at the high school, and half-day kindergarten are also worked into the complex schedule.
Over the past several years, the district has explored a variety of options, including consulting with a national transportation expert and shifting high school start times 10 minutes later in 2013-14.
“This is an embedded and complex issue,” said Quinn. “Our district is preparing for a great deal of change with the construction of a new high school and the implementation of grade reconfiguration and boundary adjustments in 2017. We have multiple factors to consider as we discuss school start times and provide clear direction to school district staff.”
