Superintendent Karen Garza has proposed a new start time schedule for FCPS. The changes she proposed will keep the same start time for elementary school students, middle schoolers start at 7:30 a.m. and high schools cannot begin school before 8 a.m.

The ongoing debate on whether or not high schoolers should be able to come in later will be answered with a vote by the school board on Oct. 23.

The new plan is expected to cost less than the first draft explained to be. New buses will be purchased to transport students, but FCPS already intends to fit new buses into their budget for the 2015-2016 school year.

This subject has been debated for several years and for the past few years studies appeared such as the one the American Academy of Pediatrics’ study. According to  American Academy of Pediatrics, when teens go through puberty their biological clock can change which results in them sleeping later.

With the help of the CNMC, FCPS was able to come up with a loose plan on how the school system will run with the new start times. FCPS had to take into account changes to bus schedules and the cost of those changes. They also had take into consideration after-school activities. Clubs and sports would start at a later time as well as sports and other school events.

Doctors and other organizations argue that high schoolers are not getting enough sleep because they have to wake up as early as 5:30 a.m. to catch the bus, while also having to deal with the workload of a high schooler.

“It’s hard to wake up for school at five in the morning because I stay up late trying to complete homework after I get off from work at ten,” senior Zaryab Sethi said.

IB students have to deal with the outside clubs and IB diploma requirements such as CAS, in addition to the rigorous homework given each night. This causes many to end up exhausted the next day.

“With IB right now, it’s quite hard because it’s not just that we have to focus on only our IB work but also we have pressure from applying to colleges. I feel that I have no time between classes, sports, clubs and prepping for college,” senior TraMi Ly said.

The school board has held meetings all throughout the summer to listen to different opinions on what the start time changes would entail. The community was welcomed to attend these meetings, especially parents because their schedules may change along with their children’s.

Even though the thought of starting school later excites some students, others want the school start times to remain the same.

“I know if I go to school at eight and I will probably stay up until three or four in the morning. There is no difference between going to school early or late. [I would rather keep it the same way] even though I am tired,” junior Da Hoen Sim said.

The community’s voice can be heard. If you have a strong opinion on the start times, you can attempt to influence school board members by sharing your voice by sending them an email or even a physical letter. Attend open school board meetings as well to join in the discussion.