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Parent urges Amherst Central School District to restore recess time after policy change
Summary
At a board meeting, local parent Sam Smith told the Amherst Central School District board that a recent change to recess policy 5661 reduced minimum recess time and barred recess removal as punishment; he cited child-development research and questioned the district's process for changing policy.
Sam Smith told the Amherst Central School District board during public comment that he had repeatedly raised concerns about the district's recess practice and was surprised to learn the district revised its recess policy on May 5.
Smith said the previous policy provided a 20-minute recess and that he understands the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a minimum of 20 minutes of free, unstructured play. "The policy was changed on May 5th after I've been emailing about the policy and the lack of implementation," Smith said, adding that the district's revised language reduced the recess time to 15 minutes "if time doesn't allow" and clarified that recess cannot be removed as punitive punishment under policy 5661.
The parent cited developmental research, pediatric guidance and teacher and union recommendations in urging the board to reconsider the change. Smith also questioned whether the board followed its own procedural rules (referenced in the meeting as district policy 1510 and an apparent requirement for a second reading or a public hearing at another meeting) before altering the policy.
Board procedure for public comment was read before Smith's remarks; the district's clerk reminded speakers that the board would listen but not respond during the comment period. The meeting record does not show an immediate response from board members to Smith's comments.
The parent recommended board members read the American Academy of Pediatrics guidance (a May 11 paper cited in his remarks) and asked the district to reexamine whether the reduced minutes and the change process match developmental evidence and district policy.
The board did not take action during the meeting on Smith's request; public comment rules were stated at the start of the meeting indicating no immediate response would be given.
