Williamson Schools Start Times Likely To Stick

FRANKLIN, TN -- Williamson County Schools are unlikely to change start times for classes for the 2018-19 school year.

Director of Schools Mike Looney recommended staying with the class schedule he implemented unilaterally before the 2017-18 school year which shifted start times for all schools about 20 minutes later, according to The Tennessean.

Research indicates that teenagers - particularly of high school age - perform better with later school start times, while elementary school students tend to do better, or at least tend to stay the same, with earlier bells. The district studied an ambitious shift in start times last year, but it proved unfeasible due to the need for buses and increased traffic associated with high school dismissal.

Even the slight change this year has not been without controversy. A parent survey found that 60 percent wanted to revert to the old schedule. A district review found no significant change in tardiness or early dismissals with the schedule shift.

In any event, Looney said he doesn't want to make any changes one way or the other until district officials can review assessment data.

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