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Board backs plan to pilot later start times at six schools; public commenters urge including Arlington Prep
Summary
Superintendent Cole proposed later start times for phase‑one schools to align adolescent sleep research with student safety and achievement; the board voted to send the proposal to the regular meeting without recommendation after public comment and discussion about logistics and outreach.
The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board on June 5 advanced a pilot to shift start and dismissal times at six schools — a measure the superintendent said is aimed at improving adolescent sleep, safety and academic outcomes.
Superintendent Cole framed the proposal as part of the district’s realignment work and cited national sleep and health organizations that recommend later secondary-school start times. Cole described two high schools in the proposed Phase 1 (Capital High and Glen Oaks High) as having high truancy and low attendance rates and argued later starts could improve safety for students who currently wait at bus stops in the dark and reduce student fatigue. Cole said the district conducted surveys and engaged a national consultant to gather stakeholder input.
Public commenters were largely supportive. Jeannette Rawlings, a disability advocate, urged the board to add Arlington Preparatory Academy — a small school serving many students with disabilities — to Phase 1 so those students would not be overlooked. A student speaker, Forrest Raich, described morning fatigue in his classes and urged the board to act for younger cohorts who will follow.
Board members and staff discussed logistics including transportation routing, after‑school care, and the effect on families and staff who hold second jobs. Dr. Prater, the consultant referenced in the presentation, told the board staff had analyzed district data and estimated roughly 4,305 families districtwide have an older sibling/younger sibling pairing that could be affected; she estimated a smaller share (approx. 10–20%) would be directly affected by loss of an older sibling as an after‑school caregiver after accounting for after‑school programs and student activities.
Board member Powell Lewis moved to send the start‑time proposal to the regular board meeting without recommendation so the board can review additional data and outreach plans; Lanus seconded. The motion carried.
Next steps: The district said it will continue community outreach, finalize transportation routing studies and share metrics it will measure during the pilot (attendance, discipline, achievement and transportation times). Staff said findings will be reported publicly in late fall or early winter with recommendations for subsequent steps.
