LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Jefferson County Public Schools is considering a plan that includes nine different school start times across the district.
A proposal was shared with teachers Tuesday, according to documents obtained by WDRB News.
The plan includes start times ranging from 7:40 a.m. to as late as 10:40 a.m. It's not specific to certain grade levels or buildings. Most schools would start at either 7:40 a.m., 8:40 a.m. or 9:40 a.m.
The school day would end anywhere between 2:30 p.m. to as late as 5:20 p.m. for a few schools.
Right now, middle and high schools start at 7:40 a.m. Elementary schools start at 9:05 a.m.
Schools that would start at 10:40 are early childhood centers and an adult learning center.
The proposal has already received mixed reviews from parents of students.
Steve Loomis has a student at Bloom Elementary, and another at Noe Middle School.
"Honestly, I think it's good, I'd like to know more," Loomis said while waiting to pick up his student from Bloom.
His son at Noe rides the bus, and Loomis said he will look forward to not getting up as early.
"His alarm goes off at six, that poor kid, and he's gotta be out there a little before 6:50," Loomis said. "He'll be thrilled I'm sure.
The district has been expected to release the proposal this week, and plans to gather feedback before making a final decision. A district spokesperson said a JCPS School Start Times proposal website would be posted Wednesday morning that will include an area for providing feedback.
Other parents are hesitant of the switch.
Scott Young has a freshman at Doss High School, whose start time would be pushed back by one hour. He said the benefit of her early start time is that it works with their schedule, and he is able to get her to school safely.
The change in start times would complicate that.
"I have to rely on the Jefferson County Board of Education to get my child there safely, and honestly the reason I do take her is because I don't trust them," Young said.
WDRB obtained a copy of the proposed times for each school from a district source:
JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio has said school start times have to change.
"The research is clear on it," he said. "When we have young people, adolescents, six through 12, starting school at 7:40, catching a bus at six in the morning, it is not healthy for students' mental health. It is not healthy for their attendance. It negatively impacts them in many ways."
The district is expected to share more details about the proposal on Wednesday. However, Pollio addressed it Tuesday at an event with Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg at the Muhammad Ali Center.
"It changes start times for 96,000 kids and adults," Pollio said. "If it passes, we are going to move 30,000, six through 12, our highest need students in our reside high schools that I just told you about, to 8:40 a.m."
The district hopes new start times will solve chronic absenteeism, and reduce the number of bus routes which could also cut down on delays as it deals with bus driver shortages.
Pollio has said JCPS is behind the curve when it comes to start times, and changing them is something that "should have been done 10 to 15 years ago."
If the JCPS Board of Education votes to approve the proposal, the new times would start next school year.
Copyright 2023 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
