School staying power

We stand four-square behind the idea of an appointed school committee in the city of Boston, given the terrible damage caused when education policy is left to elected officials whose priority is the next campaign. But one downside is that, unlike those pols, school committee members may be somewhat insulated from the rough-andtumble of big-city politics.

So when dozens of angry parents lash out at them over a controversial policy — under the hot glare of TV lights — well, there might be a temptation to go wobbly. On the issue of school bell times we hope the committee members resist that temptation.

The school department has essentially reversed schedules for next year, so that most kids in younger grades will start earlier (some as early as 7:15 a.m.) and high school kids much later. At a community meeting last week parents spent four hours assailing school officials for putting money before students (the plan should save significantly on transportation costs) and for disregarding the needs of families.

The room was tense. And some committee members, who approved the framework for new start times a week earlier with a unanimous vote, at times seemed wobbly.

“I think we do have to take this back and reconsider this,” School Committee member Michael Loconto said, according to a Herald report.

Committee member Miren Uriarte said she wants to “take the serious recommendations that we have heard and rethink through whether this makes sense to be implemented in September.”

In addition to undercutting Superintendent Tommy Chang, such second-guessing defies the rationale for the changes. There is a growing body of research that suggests teens benefit academically from later school start times, and goodness knows Boston high schools could use every advantage. And elementary school students shouldn’t be coming home in the dark during the winter.

Yes, the savings are important, too.

The changes will have a big impact on many families, no doubt, wreaking havoc on some parents’ work schedules and their pocketbooks, if they have to make arrangements for additional child care. That makes the implementation of the changes so important, to minimize disruption.

But the district analyzed the plan for 18 months, conducted a broad survey of parents and hosted many community meetings before finalizing its plan. That work shouldn’t be tossed out under pressure that was easily anticipated.