Start Time Community Meeting

Community Meeting on May 15 About New Start Time Information from Committee

Updated 5/15/2018

During the 2016-2017 school year, the School Start/End Time Review Committee determined that more conversation was needed about changing school start and end times at the elementary and secondary levels. The committee reconvened in February to find out more about the impact of school start and end time changes on elementary students, transportation, and activities and athletics. ISD 199 community members were invited to learn more about the start time conversation at a community meeting on May 15 at 5:30 PM in the Simley High School Spartan Center. Click here to learn more about the district's online survey that was posted after the community meeting for additional community feedback.

One of the committee’s first meetings after reconvening featured a presentation by Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare sleep medicine specialist Dr. John Garcia. He explained the basics of sleep science and provided more information about research on the sleep patterns of elementary-aged children. Clips of Dr. Garcia’s presentation are available on this Start Time Review webpage. The committee also worked with the ISD 199 Transportation Department and ISD 199 Activities Department to review bussing options, pick-up and drop-off times, and athletics and activities practice times that would accompany different school start options. The transportation and activities information is available on the Start Time Review webpage.

This new information, combined with additional research, will lead to a final decision on whether to change secondary start times to 8:30 AM, the start time that has been shown to increase student achievement, or remain with the current times. A decision is anticipated to be made by the fall of 2018. As the committee reviews information, they will recommend an option that maximizes student learning, maintains student safety, maintains or enhances student opportunities, and efficiently utilizes district resources. Any recommendation, if approved by the school board, will be implemented for the 2019-2020 school year to give families a year to plan for the changes.

A community meeting to provide information about the ongoing conversation was also held on Tuesday, May 15, from 5:30-6:30 PM in the Simley High School Spartan Center, 2990 80th Street East in Inver Grove Heights. Click here to learn more about the district's online survey that was posted after the community meeting for additional community feedback.

The community is encouraged to review the information that the committee is considering for their decision on school start and end times. Information is consistently updated at www.isd199.org/district/start_time_review on the district website. Community members can also send questions or concerns to [email protected].