Metro Surveys Parents, Staff On Later High School Start Times

Metro School officials are considering moving the start time for high schools to later in the morning. To gauge support from parents and staff, the district will be conducting an automated telephone survey Thursday night.

In a brochure sent to parents, school officials cite research that says adolescents who wake later in the morning – after eight to nine hours of sleep – make better grades, have better attendance and attitudes.

Glencliff High School Senior Devin Woodmore says delaying the start time an hour and a half to two hours makes sense to her. She gets on the bus at 6:25 a.m. and says this is what she sees in her first period class.

“A lot of heads down. A lot of eating breakfast in the classroom. I don’t feel as though people pay attention in the mornings because they’re so tired.”

But sophomore Decorye Bradford says the delayed start will just make the day longer for students involved in band, clubs, or athletics.

“What about people who play sports and we’ve got game days, you wouldn’t get home to like 11 or anything like that.”

The district-wide automated telephone survey will take place Thursday night between 7 and 8 p.m.

Officials say they hope to poll all staff members and every family.