The Clarke County School District has nixed plans to shuffle when elementary, middle and high schools start each day.
CCSD had considered changing start times because, due to a shortage of bus drivers, too many middle- and high-school bus riders were arriving at school late. However, some parents complained that the changes would make it harder to get to work on time, and pointed to research showing that teenagers need to sleep later than younger children.
“We received hundreds of comments and have read each one. It became clear as we reviewed the comments—which came from teachers, students, parents, other caregivers and members of the community at large—that there was no single favored path forward,” CCSD said in a news release. “With that in mind, the district has determined that the issue requires more research and deliberation before any potential changes are made. We will continue to study the problems related to bus driver shortages, bus routes and instructional time missed due to transportation issues, and will continue to seek public input throughout the process.”
For the 2023-24 academic year, elementary schools will continue to start class at 7:40 a.m.; middle schools at 8:35 a.m.; Clarke Central and Cedar Shoals high schools at 8:45 a.m.; and Classic City High at 9 a.m.
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