ST LOUIS PARK, Minn. — School district leaders from St. Louis Park Public Schools are considering changing the time students arrive and leave school.
It’s a decision that affects not only students but also their families, teachers, administrators, staffers, school bus drivers, child care providers, and so on.
Currently, St. Louis Park Middle School has the earliest start time at 7:30 a.m, while some elementary schools start after 9 a.m.
Right now, it’s unclear whether start times will be earlier, later, or stay the same at any given school.
For now, district leaders are taking an open approach to the decision.
Last November, the district appointed a team of educators, transportation consultants, students and parents. Members are responsible for providing a recommendation to the school board by March 25.
Thursday night, the superintendent led the first public meeting. To get even more feedback, it was streamed on Facebook Live.
The district also provided a link for Thoughtexchange, a software that allows users to anonymously participate in discussions.
Several other Minnesota school district considered changing school start times. They all did extensive research but ultimately, not all decided to change the start times.
Edina, Minneapolis, Mountain View, Richfield and Wayzata did decide to change, while Brooklyn Center, Columbia Heights, Fridley, Hopkins, Minnetonka and Robbinsdale did not.
Twenty schools within Minneapolis Public Schools saw changes this school year. The school board approved the decision in June.
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