EDITORIAL: Teen rhythms: Starting high school later in the morning makes educational sense

Oct. 05--After studying the issue for more than a year, the Keene Board of Education appears ready to take up the topic of changing the school day at Keene High School. The issue is on the board's agenda for Tuesday night.

A panel headed by the district superintendent spent months studying the issue and issued a report in June. That report recommended what times might work IF the school board makes the change, but didn't come out and say they ought to do it.

We will. They ought to do it. Despite concerns regarding logistics, it's the right move educationally.

A growing body of scientific evidence points to teenagers benefiting from a sleep schedule that runs later than most schools' daily schedules allow. The American Academy of Pediatrics and federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among others, have noted the potential benefits for those going through puberty in terms of health and education.

Research suggests that during adolescence, children experience a shift in their circadian rhythm -- or biological clock -- that alters the times when melatonin is released in the brain. This makes it difficult for teenagers to fall asleep before about 11 p.m., according to a policy statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which also recommends high school classes begin at 8:30 a.m. or later.

At a September hearing on the matter, more than 100 area residents, including many parents, largely objected to a change in school start times. They cited childcare, working hours for students and others, after-school sports and other activities, and juggling family dynamics. In a survey of Unit 29 parents, students and teachers, just over half preferred changing the school day.

The Keene study panel recommended -- again, if the board makes a change -- that Keene High School begin at 8:45 a.m., Keene Middle School begin at 9:10 a.m. and elementary schools in Keene start at times varying from 7:50 a.m. to 8 a.m. Recently, the school board's Education Committee voted to recommend making the change for the 2020/21 school year, which would be after current bus contracts expire and would give administrators time to create their budgets for that year knowing about the change.

It's also worth noting Chesterfield, Harrisville, Marlborough, Marlow, Nelson and Westmoreland students in School Administrative Unit 29, along with Stoddard, Sullivan, Surry and Winchester, send students to middle and/or high school in Keene.

Fall Mountain's school board is also looking at making a school-day change, for the same reasons. A similar study panel is still working on the issue there.

Seven years ago, the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union agreed to move back the school day at Brattleboro Union High School from 7:45 to 8:45 a.m. That schedule has been in effect for the past six years. BUHS also includes many students from nearby towns.

Principal Steve Perrin said while there were obstacles to overcome in changing the schedule, the school got past them and everyone has since adjusted. More importantly, he said, the evidence is there that the new school day is working for the students.

"We have a growing body of evidence that says our kids do better," said Perrin, "that developmentally it's more appropriate for them."

That's apparently what the panel studying the potential move for Keene found as well. And if that's the case, the choice ought to be clear.

It won't be easy. Busing students from all over the city and 10 area towns is a balance already. Operating a technical career center that also draws students from throughout the region needs addressing. Parents whose schedules now depend on getting their kids out the door at a specific time or their teenagers being available to collect younger children after school may balk. And after-school activities and jobs will need adjusting. And there may be contractual issues to work out with the district's employee bargaining units.

But if Brattleboro could do it, and school districts elsewhere, then we're certain Keene can, too.

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