Development News for Wheeling, West Virginia

Ohio County School Board Considers Later High School Start Times to Improve Student Well-being

The Ohio County Board of Education is considering a proposal to delay high school start times. The committee presented research on adolescent sleep cycles, emphasizing the negative impacts of early start times on student health, academics, and safety. They proposed two recommendations: 1) Push all school start times back by 30 minutes, resulting in an 8:00 AM start for Wheeling Park High School, with minor adjustments to elementary school end times and a potential need for two part-time afternoon bus drivers. 2) Allow high school students to schedule lunch during first period and opt for a seven-period day, enabling them to arrive later if they have their own transportation, thus gaining additional sleep without changing bus routes. The committee's ideal recommendation is to implement both options, but they acknowledge financial and logistical barriers. The board will discuss these proposals further with administration and vote on June 22nd.