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East Chicago shifts secondary start times to add 30 minutes for social‑emotional learning; teachers' workday unchanged
Summary
Board approved a change to middle‑ and high‑school start times to add 30 minutes of school‑day time for social‑emotional learning; the district said teachers’ contracted work day is not being extended and there will be no additional cost.
The School City of East Chicago board on March 11 approved new start times for middle and high schools that add 30 minutes to the student day to provide expanded social‑emotional learning (SEL).
Trustee Diane Smith moved to approve item 5.04; Trustee Joel Rodriguez seconded. Trustees voted 5‑0 in favor.
Superintendent Dr. Bourne explained the change affects student start times at secondary schools and creates a 30‑minute increase in instructional time that will be used for SEL: “A 30 minute increase will be used to provide SEL, social emotional learning, as part of school day embedded,” the superintendent said. Board members and staff clarified that teachers’ workdays will not be lengthened — the district said teacher start times had been shifted in prior years and that existing professional learning communities and planning time will be adjusted to accommodate the new schedule without additional compensation.
Trustees asked about cost and scheduling impacts. The district said there will be no additional cost because staff schedules have been realigned rather than extended. The recommendation — originally developed by the Keller committee and informed by staff feedback — was described as a response to requests for more morning preparation time for teachers and dedicated SEL time for students.
The board voted to adopt the new start times; staff said specific bell schedules and operational details would be implemented at the school level.
