Student Floats Later HS Start Time Proposal to School Board

Avery Walters, a sophomore at Lafayette, has come up with a proposal to start WJCC high schools at a later time. Walters explained that one of the many reasons he has come up with this proposal is to be able to let students have a voice, in decision-making with regards to school day start times, since most do not like waking up as early as they do. Determined to help make this change, Walters came up with a speech and a plan and spoke at the WJCC School Board meeting on December 13^th.

One of the biggest obstacles that Walters is facing with getting everyone on board with this proposal is the routines that have already been set and followed for several years now. WJCC elementary schools start at 9:20am, and the high schools start at 7:20am. Walters has come up with a plan to switch the starting times of the elementary and high schools to ensure that teenagers in high school are getting the average amount of sleep needed every night. This change is supported by numerous research reports about adolescent brain development and ideal learning environments.

A petition is being put into place to start high schools at a later time and is being sent to students, staff, and parents/guardians. Walters has unofficially been told that the WJCC School Board is going to work on this major change, but it will not be put into place any time soon. After the school board meeting on December 13^th, many adults confronted Walters and told him that they agree with his proposal and would love to work with him and do research to help make this change.

To watch Walters’ Proposal, skip to 38:00.