Sheepscot Valley RSU 12 is considering starting school two hours later on Wednesdays during full five-day weeks next school year, according to acting Superintendent Patricia Watts.
Starting later on Wednesdays would give teachers more time to work on professional development while giving students more seat time, Watts said at the RSU’s Board of Directors meeting on April 11.
Changing the other four days to 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. would add 30 minutes to the typical 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. school day, said Chair Hilary Holm, of Whitefield.
“I’d really object to that,” said Eugene Stover, a board member from Wiscasset. Such a change is not considerate of some students who have long bus rides, and any late start or early closure day affects working parents who need to find a way to deal with their children, he said.
If adopted, the change would eliminate all early release days, Holm said.
Andrew Doiron, principal of Chelsea Elementary School, agreed with Stover’s concerns about the need for childcare.
“I’m extremely concerned about the burden this puts on families,” he said.
Wiscasset Primary School Principal Cherly Howe said she believes late start Wednesdays would increase student achievement, and teachers need regular times to do professional development.
Chris Johnson, a board member from Somerville, suggested the district might need a program to help parents who are unable to accommodate the change in hours, and board member Diana McKenzie, of Chelsea, agreed.
Malinda Caron, a board member from Whitefield said starting late on Wednesdays gives students a little extra rest during the middle of the week and would add to student seat time.
“I’m in favor of late start Wednesdays for this district,” Caron said.
Holm said the intent was to bring the issue back to the board for approval at their regular meeting in May, but the board could potentially revisit the issue at their special meeting on Thursday, April 25.
The board is scheduled to meet next on Thursday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Whitefield Elementary School to work on the 2013-14 budget. The board’s next regular meeting is Thursday, May 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Windsor Elementary School.
