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Campbell County Schools Mull Later Start Times

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Campbell County School officials are considering whether junior high and high school students should start their school days later.

Many parents spoke out at a public meeting this week, saying the change would disrupt family routines.

Those students currently start their day at about 7:40 in Campbell County. But the American Academy of Pediatrics is calling on schools to push that back until 8:30 or later.

The District’s public relations director Jeff Wasserburger says the local school board is still in the discussion phase.

“There is no proposal on the table as right now, by the Board,” says Wasserburger. “What is being discussed is the research on start times. What pediatricians are saying is that the onset of puberty brings an increase in the amount of sleep needed and a change in the natural timing of the sleep cycle. Essentially what you have is students suffering from sleep deprivation.”

Wasserburger has presented that information to parents at four public meeting. He says he’ll visit each of the district’s 21 schools to talk with educators about the potential changes.

Wyoming has among the earliest high school start times in the country. A recent survey showed not a single middle or high school starts after 8:30.

“This state typically gets up very early,” says Wasserburger. “That’s kind of a western thing and it’s kind of a tradition. The question is should we try and change that to the benefit of our students? Should we base our start times on scientific research—or should we stay where we’re at?”

In Campbell County, elementary school students start their days about an hour later. Wasserburger says, if start times shift for older students, changes will be made to younger students’ schedules as well—to make bussing work. 

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