Students press board to move high‑school start times later, citing health and safety

Several Granite Hills High School students and parents urged the board on Oct. 2 to change high‑school start times to align with adolescent sleep research and California law encouraging later starts. Student speakers said first‑period classes that begin at 7 a.m. force teens to function on insufficient sleep and harm academic performance and mental health.

“I want you to imagine a student walking into class struggling to keep their eyes open,” one student speaker told the board, and said a student‑led poll found large support from students, parents and many educators for later start times. Another student described mayor‑level statistics and local polling showing strong community support for shifts to later bell times.

A parent speaker pointed to research from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control noting benefits of later start times, including better academic outcomes and fewer teen driving accidents. The parent asked the board to “follow the law and let them start school later.”

Board members thanked the students for their organizing. The transcript shows the public comments were received and that trustees acknowledged the speakers; the board did not adopt a start‑time change at the Oct. 2 meeting. Members suggested continued stakeholder conversations and follow‑up analysis as the district balances bus schedules, staffing and program impacts.

Next steps: Students and parents said they will continue pressing the board. District staff did not present a formal start‑time proposal during the Oct. 2 agenda; any change would require logistical planning and likely future board hearings.