A number of parents spoke in opposition to any change, mainly concerned with the impact it will have on elementary-age students and their families, with later start time also meaning later dismissal.
Others spoke in favor of the change, however, demonstrating what several parents said has become a rift in the community regarding the issue.
“I’ve been very interested to see how divisive this particular conversation has been,” said parent Elizabeth Coe, claiming that one of the members of the SSTC accused her of having “no compassion” for opposing the change.
“What about compassion for working parents?” she said, noting it would be impossible to find a babysitter in the morning, and also that it stole away time that she shared with her kids before work.
“I will lose this time with my children … For what? So a high school kid can get a little extra sleep?” she said.
Some parents also opined that the elementary schools weren’t adequately represented on the committee itself, and that the process was rushed and had not been given adequate public airing.
“We had a committee that worked for two years,” noted BOE member Lee Goldstein, calling the research “very credible and compelling.”
“This was not a decision that was made by the committee in haste,” noted BOE member Vik Muktavaram, who served on the SSTC.
He said he was originally skeptical about the concept, but became convinced over time by the research reviewed by the committee.
“It is going to be hard for some of the families … but frankly I think we have to make the right decision for the students,” Muktavaram said.
“I don’t think there’s been enough work done on a before-school program,” said parent Alexis Bancroft, calling it irresponsible on the part of the BOE.
She and several others suggested delaying the vote until a plan could be put in place by the school administration having to do with before-school care opportunities.
Christine Meier Schatz, a District 2 Representative Town Meeting member who spearheaded the change, told the BOE that they could make things easier for the elementary students in their authority.
“You have the power to change the structure of the elementary day,” she said, including adding more recess or shortening the day.
“I’ve been talking to you all about this issue for three years … There is no reason to wait,” she said.
BOE member Karen Kleine, who voted against the change along with member Elaine Whitney, remained steadfast in her skepticism.
“I don’t believe it’s harmful to have kids starting when they’re starting right now,” she said.
Whitney said that while she was a believer in the research, she too hoped to see more of a plan in place, suggesting they wait a month in order to give the administration time to set things up.
“To me this ultimately comes down to the integrity of the implementation plan,” she said.
A number of parents spoke in opposition to any change, mainly concerned with the impact it will have on elementary-age students and their families, with later start time also meaning later dismissal.
Others spoke in favor of the change, however, demonstrating what several parents said has become a rift in the community regarding the issue.
“I’ve been very interested to see how divisive this particular conversation has been,” said parent Elizabeth Coe, claiming that one of the members of the SSTC accused her of having “no compassion” for opposing the change.
“What about compassion for working parents?” she said, noting it would be impossible to find a babysitter in the morning, and also that it stole away time that she shared with her kids before work.
“I will lose this time with my children … For what? So a high school kid can get a little extra sleep?” she said.
Some parents also opined that the elementary schools weren’t adequately represented on the committee itself, and that the process was rushed and had not been given adequate public airing.
“We had a committee that worked for two years,” noted BOE member Lee Goldstein, calling the research “very credible and compelling.”
“This was not a decision that was made by the committee in haste,” noted BOE member Vik Muktavaram, who served on the SSTC.
He said he was originally skeptical about the concept, but became convinced over time by the research reviewed by the committee.
“It is going to be hard for some of the families … but frankly I think we have to make the right decision for the students,” Muktavaram said.
“I don’t think there’s been enough work done on a before-school program,” said parent Alexis Bancroft, calling it irresponsible on the part of the BOE.
She and several others suggested delaying the vote until a plan could be put in place by the school administration having to do with before-school care opportunities.
Christine Meier Schatz, a District 2 Representative Town Meeting member who spearheaded the change, told the BOE that they could make things easier for the elementary students in their authority.
“You have the power to change the structure of the elementary day,” she said, including adding more recess or shortening the day.
“I’ve been talking to you all about this issue for three years … There is no reason to wait,” she said.
BOE member Karen Kleine, who voted against the change along with member Elaine Whitney, remained steadfast in her skepticism.
“I don’t believe it’s harmful to have kids starting when they’re starting right now,” she said.
Whitney said that while she was a believer in the research, she too hoped to see more of a plan in place, suggesting they wait a month in order to give the administration time to set things up.
“To me this ultimately comes down to the integrity of the implementation plan,” she said.
