The Clark County School Board will meet Thursday, Feb. 23 at 4 p.m.
at the Education Center on East Flamingo.
The much debated idea of later start times for valley high schools will be tossed around again. The Clark County School Board is holding a special public meeting on the issue Tuesday, Feb. 23.
Armed with the latest research on how sleep-deprived teens don't do well in school, some parents will call upon the school board once again to push back the start times for high schools. But there are plenty of teachers, parents and even students who don't think the benefits of an extra hour of sleep will outweigh the costs.
Chris McLees, a Clark High School student, said, "First period I'm really energetic, got a lot of energy." Unlike most teenagers, Chris McLees is a morning person. He doesn't think an extra hour of sleep on school days would make much difference. Chris' mother Shirly, who also heads up the Magnet programs at Clark High School, agrees, "There are pros and cons either way. I think our students will adapt to whatever schedule we give them."
The latest research by the National Sleep Foundation found 60-percent of children under the age of 18 complain of being tired during the day. Fifteen percent had actually fallen asleep at school. That's why some parents are calling on the school board to push back high school start times by an hour.
But just because sleep-deprived teenagers may need more sleep, doesn't mean the Clark County School Board is in a position to give it to them. Ruth Johnson, school board president, said, "Because it requires a great deal of money to make the required changes in transportation."
Clark County's fleet of 1,300 buses currently makes three separate runs to drop off more than 145,000 students daily at elementary schools, middle schools and high schools around the valley. Adding enough buses to accommodate simultaneous pick-ups and drop-offs later would require another $7 million a year.
Chris McLees suggests, "Keep it simple." For now, Chris says not over-scheduling and getting to bed earlier works just fine.
Ruth Johnson said, "Regardless of what time school starts, we still count on parents to make sure students get to bed on time and not be involved in too many activities that keep them from getting what needs to be done, and lead that balanced life."
Whatever your opinions or concerns may be, you'll have a chance to express them during the Thursday afternoon special school board meeting. The Clark County School Board meets Thursday at 4 p.m. at the Education Center on East Flamingo.
Email reporter Alyson McCarthy at amccarthy@klastv.com
