The principal of East High School is asking the community for help as they deal with a shortage of substitute teachers. (PHOTO: Kristin Murphy/The Deseret News via AP)
SALT LAKE CITY– The three high schools located in Salt Lake City may begin to implement later start times. But, it wouldn’t happen until at least the start of the 2021-22 school year.
The Salt Lake School Board voted Tuesday night to set the 2021 school year as a soft launch date for moving the start of the school day later. They are leaning toward beginning at or around 8:45 a.m. for high schools. The move may also apply to middle schools if possible.
Highland, West and East High Schools currently have its first bell ring at 7:45 am.
“I’m excited to see our community come together on something so pivotal that we know will benefit our students,” said Board President Melissa Ford. “I’ve appreciated the opportunities we’ve had thus far to hear from stakeholders. Both those who support, and those who have concerns about, late start.”
The school board has been studying this for at least the last five years. They’ve also been holding listening tours and conducting surveys for the past few months.
But they say changing sooner than 2021 would be too hard.
It will also ripple out to the middle and elementary schools.
“Our Board is mindful of the many ways this change will impact families across the Salt Lake City School District, and we look forward to continuing our work with community members and stakeholders on this very important issue,” Ford said.
The Board will continue to discuss this issue, and to receive recommendations from the Late Start Task Force, in future Board meetings.
Doctors say teens need more sleep in the morning.
See also:
Salt Lake City school district proposes later start times (Jan 3,2020)
Parents, students make case for later HS start times in SLC (Jan 14, 2020)
Parents, teachers sound off on later school start times (Jan 17, 2020)