Board OKs later start for high school

High school students in Peters will have a little more time to get to class this fall.

The school board on Feb. 20 unanimously approved changing the start time to 7:45 a.m. for the 2018-19 school year. The new start time is 15 minutes later than previous years. The school day will end at 2:35 p.m.

District spokeswoman ShellyBelcher said the administrationstarted looking at the later start time a few months ago and has met with parent groups,teachers and students.

Ms. Belcher said one reason the later start time will work is because the district will be adding extra bus runs inthe morning.

“Right now, the earliest students get picked up at 6:30 a.m.,” Ms. Belcher said. Next year, the earliest students will bepickedupcloserto7a.m.

Theadditional bus runs will cost the district between $20,000and $30,000.

Additionally, the later start timewillpushbacklunchesperiods. Currently, some high school students eat lunch before10 a.m.

Middle school students who attend class at the high school will have an overall shorter day, Ms. Belcher said, because instead of having down time when they first arrive, they willgo straight to class.

The bus schedule and start times for students in kindergarten through eighth grade remainunchanged.

Those with questions about the time change can contact the district transportation office at 724-941-6251, extension 6012 or Ms. Belcher at extension 7205.