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Wakefield incumbent supports later high school start times; committee to vote on three options
Summary
Thomas Markham said he supports moving Wakefield High School to a later start time, endorsing science on adolescent sleep and saying the school committee will consider three options — no change, a 45-minute delay for high school only, or a 60-minute delay with modest changes at other levels — with possible implementation in September 2026.
Thomas Markham said the Wakefield School Committee is considering a change to high school start times and that he supports delaying the high school day to better align with adolescent sleep science.
The administration and a student-services subcommittee have presented three options for the committee to consider: keep current start times; delay high school start by 45 minutes with no change for other levels; or delay high school by 60 minutes and make modest adjustments at elementary and middle schools. The committee plans to vote on one of the options in a future meeting.
Markham said the science supports later start times for teenagers and that better-rested students are more prepared for learning. “Do I support a later start time? The answer is yes, I do,” he said, while acknowledging logistical challenges for families, work schedules and after-school activities.
Timing and implementation: Markham suggested any change would likely be at least a year away, with a target of September 2026 to allow time for planning. He also noted the town’s new high school — scheduled to open in January 2027 — may be best paired with a new schedule.
Ending: Markham said the committee must balance what’s best for students with practical concerns for families and staff and that a full planning period is necessary before implementing a change.
