Let the teens sleep in? Not in Stillwater.
The Stillwater school board decided Thursday night not to pursue changing school start times “at this time,” school district spokeswoman Carissa Keister said Friday.
The district had been exploring a change based on research that shows that later start times at high schools help teens get more sleep, which can result in better physical and mental health.
School board member Sarah Stivland said it wasn’t the right time for the district to make a change, having recently gone through the difficult process of closing three elementary schools.
Under one of the scenarios being studied, Stillwater Area High School would have started at 8:35 a.m., about an hour later than its current schedule. Start times also would have changed at middle and elementary schools, as well as charter and private schools.
The board decided to continue working with the community to educate parents and students about sleep health. It also will also consider creating a group of parents, students and staff to further research start times and develop possible solutions for the future, Keister said.