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Some Parents Not Happy About Proposal To Push Back School Start Times In Barrington

(CBS) -- A proposal to push back school start times in Barrington is getting some pushback from parents.

Right now students are out of bed and in the classrooms by 7:20 every morning. The proposed new start time would let them roll in around 9 or 9-30.

The students have no problem, but some parents say the plan cheats kids out of class time.

CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports about 200 people were in attendance for a school board meeting Tuesday night.

Ten months of research and open meetings in Barrington came to a task force's formal recommendation that District 220 high school students start class no earlier than 9 a.m. in the name of public health

"We think we can make it work," said District 220 Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jeff Arnett.

But it doesn't work for every family and some parents, upset with the potential for a much later start but shorter school day, let the school board know it.

"I understand the why behind the sleep science and later start, I don't understand the U-turn that has us looking at a shorter school day," said one parent.

There are many who back the plan.

"Reduce car crashes teenage drivers," said parent Patrick Smith. "From that perspective alone I support a later school start time."

Ultimately, District 220 Board members will have final say, likely this April.

"We understand that this is a very, very complicated issues," said District 220 School Board President Brian Battle.

"For us not to act on it in some way once the recommendation has come forward to the board would probably be irresponsible," said Arnett.

In regards to the possibility of reduced classroom time, the assistant superintendent wants the discussion to focus on reallocating those minutes to make them more efficient.

If the district moves to start high school later, it will likely impact the middle and grade schools as well and high school students could get out as late as 3:48 in the afternoon in part to accommodate busing and other transportation needs.

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