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East Baton Rouge school board authorizes phased plan to shift later start times after pilot data
Summary
After hearing pilot data and testimony from students and teachers, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board on March 5 authorized the superintendent to phase in later start times over three years, directing local engagement and returning with a year‑one recommendation in April.
The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board on March 5 voted to authorize Superintendent Cole to implement later school start times in a phased, three‑year roll‑out after the district presented early pilot data from participating high schools.
The vote followed a presentation from Superintendent Cole summarizing pilot results and transportation gains. “We saw a decrease in the number of students who were late for school,” Cole said, adding that Glen Oaks High School showed a 65% reduction in late arrivals and Capitol High School showed a 22% reduction. He also told the board the district required 15 fewer buses to serve phase‑1 schools, which he said improved transportation efficiency.
Supporters at the microphone included students and teachers who described practical and health benefits. Forrest Raich, a senior who said he helped prepare remarks, told the board: “Later start times lead to better student sleep, which leads to better student learning.” A West Hill Middle School eighth grader, Violet Stroop, said the extra 45 minutes she recently gained made a noticeable difference: “Those 45 more minutes of sleep felt so much better than waking up at 6.”
Not all testimony was unreservedly positive. Glen Oaks teacher Dr. Jorty Bellinor said the presentation had been “skewed” and urged the board to hear a wider range of perspectives from staff and to examine schedule conflicts that can arise for employees and students with jobs or early‑starting athletics.
Board members debated tradeoffs, including transportation logistics, impacts on extracurricular schedules and effects on families and staff. Several members said the pilot’s local data and national research supporting later adolescent start times justified further action. Vice President Lewis and other board members stressed the need for continued engagement, surveys and public meetings in affected neighborhoods.
The board’s motion, moved and seconded during the meeting, passed by voice vote. Superintendent Cole said he would bring a formal recommendation for year‑one implementation in April and noted a public meeting on the next phase will be held March 17 at 5:30 p.m. at Bel Air High School to gather family input.
The board’s authorization does not itself set final bell times. The action grants the superintendent authority to adjust start times, subject to further analysis and school‑level community input in the coming months.
