CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- Chesterfield parents will get the chance to weigh-in on what time their children go to school during a Tuesday evening public meeting. The school system is considering whether or not to push back the start of classes for some students.
While some school officials said one reason to delay school start time is to allow students more time to sleep, resulting in better health, the possible change could cost the school system millions of dollars.
A Wellness Council, created in Chesterfield and tasked with developing strategies for healthier lifestyles, came up with the idea to push back school start times.
This option comes on the heels of a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics that noted "children who don't get enough sleep often suffer physical and mental health problems."
School leaders have considered starting times for middle and high schools at 8:30 a.m. or later. Opponents argued that changing the start time for some schools would pose a problem with transportation and scheduling.
The cost to make the changes a reality could range from $1.2 million to $34 million. If any changes are made, officials said they are not expected to impact the 2015-2016 school year.
The public session takes place at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28) at the Chesterfield Career and Technical Center at Hull, located at 13900 Hull Street Road.
