Of the ten start/end time options studied, the committee has determined the following three as viable options:

Option 1 (current start/end time schedules)

First Position: SSP Secondary (7:50 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.) – zero hour begins at 7:00 a.m.
Second Position: Lincoln Center Elementary (8:20 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
Third Position: Kaposia Education Center (9:00 a.m. – 3:35 p.m.)

PROS

• There will be no disruption because the schedules do not change
• There would not be a cost increase
• After school athletics and activities will not be disrupted

CONS

• Secondary students have very early start times. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends middle and high schools delay the start of class to 8:30 a.m. or later.
• Sleep deprivation causes secondary students to have lower academic performance
• The legislature has begun conversations of a possible state mandate of later school start times. We would not be prepared for such a change
• Our start times conflict with other conference schools thus after school activities as well
• Perception that the district does not care about student health
• Does not address zero hour access and bussing

Option 5

First Position: Lincoln Center
Second Position: Kaposia Education Center
Third Position: SSP Secondary
*start/end times for this option may not align exactly with the current times of option 1 listed above

PROS

• Supports the research of a later start time for SSP Secondary students
• Keeps both elementary schools after a 7:45 AM start time
• Flexibility of options for SSP Secondary students
• Band/Choir students can still get in the other classes they need
• Corresponds best with circadian rhythms
• No increase in transportation costs
• More teaching time in the morning for Lincoln Center and Kaposia
• Supports a reduction of many things for SSP Secondary students (mental health, car accidents, irritability, tardies/absences) and increases academics and alertness
• Reduce amount of Targeted Services if students are performing better academically
• Allows elementary staff to coach after school athletics/activities
• More equitable for all schools – all sites have a change
• Targeted services and extended day programming becomes more attractive for elementary families

CONS

• It is dark early in the morning when elementary students will be at bus stops or walking to school
• Elementary siblings are home before SSP Secondary siblings, which is why Targeted services and extended day programming becomes more attractive for elementary families
• Zero hour may still start before the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended start time of 8:30 AM or later for middle/high school students
• A later finish for secondary targeted services
• Later start time for SSP Secondary pushes into after school athletics/activities

Option 6

First Position: Lincoln Center and Kaposia Education Center
Second Position: SSP Secondary
*start/end times for this option may not align exactly with the current times of option 1 listed above

PROS

• Supports the research of a later start time for SSP Secondary students
• Aligns both elementary schools for students, staff, and community
• Keeps both elementary schools after a 7:45 a.m. start time
• Flexibility of options for SSP Secondary students
• More teaching time in the morning for the elementary students
• No change for Lincoln Center
• Slight change in start times for Kaposia Education Center families
• Allows elementary staff to have collaborative team time
• Elementary staff morale unity
• Allows elementary staff to coach after school athletics/activities
• Earlier PLC times for elementary staff
• If more conference schools adjust their start times, this is less of a concern

CONS

• Later start for SSP Secondary pushes into after school athletics/activities
• Zero hour may still start before the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended start time of 8:30 a.m. or later for middle/high school students
• Increase of approximately $250,000 in transportation cost