LOWER MERION – For at least the past decade or longer, residents and students in Lower Merion have been asking the district for later start times for high school students.
While many districts, such as neighboring Radnor, have made similar changes after discussing it for just a few years, Lower Merion has analyzed it over and over and over.
Speaking during a school board meeting this week, former school board member David Federman mentioned how the district has studied the issue over many years.
“This matter has been thoroughly analyzed, studied, researched, evaluated, reanalyzed, restudied, researched, surveyed, resurveyed, the time for study of over. The time for action is now,” Federman said.
Many of those community members in the audience wanted the change to take effect in the fall.
In the end, the board pushed it off until 2024.
In a 7 to 2 vote Monday night, the board approved a motion to implement a modified version of a proposed schedule for the start of the school year in September 2024.
The proposal the board was originally considering in its vote would have the middle school day begin at 8 a.m. and let out at 2:50 p.m. The high schools would then go from 8:40 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and elementary schools go from 9:20 a.m. to 4:05 p.m.
Although speakers generally supported the original plan, there was some concern expressed over the elementary school schedule.
The board then put forward some modifications, such as ending elementary school at 3:50 p.m. and providing before-school childcare support for elementary students and their families. Consider a slightly earlier middle school start, if necessary, to ensure no school ends after 4 p.m.
In a letter to the community, Megan Shafer, acting superintendent, said on May 8 and June 20, the administration would update the board and community on their work to incorporate these modifications into a final plan for the September 2024 change. The board expects to vote on its final plan later this year.
“It is also important to note that school start times are one of many ways we are addressing student safety, mental and physical wellness, and sense of belonging,” Shafer wrote. “While we plan to operationalize a new schedule for September 2024, we will also work on initiatives including educating students and families about healthy sleep habits, managing screen time, maintaining healthy diets and exercise routines, and practicing mindfulness.”
