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I_SStartTime_2018A 08/31/2018 09:02:38 AM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
INTERIM COMMITTEE  SCHOOL START TIME INTERIM STUDY COMMITTEE
Date 08/31/2018
Attendance
Kerr X
Wilson X
Valdez X
Priola X
Time 09:02:38 AM to 11:32:21 AM
Place SCR 357
This Meeting was called to order by Priola
This Report was prepared by Damion Pechota
Hearing Items Action Taken
Update from Montezuma-Cortez School District RE-1 Committee Discussion Only
The Science Behind Changing School Start Times Committee Discussion Only
Update from Jeffco Public Schools Start Time Task Force Committee Discussion Only
Update from Denver Public Schools Committee Discussion Only
Update from Cherry Creek School District and School District 27J Committee Discussion Only
Public Testimony Committee Discussion Only

Update from Montezuma-Cortez School District RE-1 - Committee Discussion Only
09:03:08 AM  

Dan Porter, Assistant Superintendent, Montezuma-Cortez School District RE-1, spoke via telephone about changes to the school district start times and the process the district underwent to determine those changes.
09:07:39 AM  

Mr. Porter discussed the impact of different start times on food services and transportation.

09:09:28 AM  

Mr. Porter answered questions regarding transportation and after school programs, as well as the impact of later start times on student performance.

09:15:18 AM  
Mr. Porter answered questions from the
committee on the impact of changing start and end times to athletics and
other extracurricular activities.  He also spoke on need to provide
information on a state-wide level on the importance of later school start
times for older students.
09:19:05 AM  
Mr. Porter answered questions from the
committee on whether there have been any changes in crime statistics after
the changes to school start times, and spoke about the use of online schooling
to address transportation issues.



The Science Behind Changing School Start Times - Committee Discussion Only
09:21:02 AM  

Dr. Lisa J. Meltzer, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at National Jewish Hospital, spoke about adolescent sleep patterns and the value of later start times.  She provided an overview of the stages of sleep and the biological developments that occur.
09:25:03 AM  

Dr. Meltzer talked about the impact of sleep on student performance and the biological changes that occur throughout the day, including melatonin rhythms.  She spoke about the correlation between behavioral problems and the amount of sleep a child gets regularly.
09:29:11 AM  
Dr. Meltzer spoke about the neurocognitive
deficits and effects on weight gain that less sleep can have on children
and youth. She also spoke about the signs of deficient sleep and the negative
impacts that technology in the bedroom, caffeine, and early school start
times can have.
09:32:17 AM  

Dr. Meltzer told the committee about several studies showing the positive impacts later school start times can have on crime, school attendance, a decrease in depression rate, and higher graduation rates.
09:36:03 AM  

Dr. Meltzer answered questions about the impacts of earlier elementary school start times, as well as the circadian rhythms in elementary-age students compared to high school students.
09:39:30 AM  

Dr. Meltzer discussed the implementation of later school start times in the Cherry Creek School District.
09:49:06 AM  
Dr. Meltzer discussed the positive changes
in mental health, physical health, and academic engagement in the Cherry
Creek School District after later school start times were implemented.
09:53:09 AM  

Dr. Meltzer answered questions from the committee.
10:00:00 AM  

Dr. Meltzer answered questions regarding the impacts of light, technology, and other devices on sleep patterns. She also answered questions regarding increased anxiety in teenagers.
10:08:07 AM  
The committee members continued to discuss the impact of technology on sleep.



Update from Jeffco Public Schools Start Time Task Force - Committee Discussion Only
10:09:11 AM  
Dan Cohan, Achievement Director for JeffCo public Schools,
began his presentation on the district's task force currently studying
whether to change school start times.  He distributed two handouts
to the committee [Attachments A and B].  Mr. Cohan spoke about research
on student sleep patterns.
10:19:21 AM  

Mr. Cohan discussed the task force's community outreach.  He spoke about the budget, transportation, workforce, geographical, and extracurricular factors for changing school start times.  Mr. Cohan provided background information on the Start Time Task Force and said it will present recommendations to the school district in early 2019.
10:22:57 AM  
Katie Winner, Co-chair of the JeffCo School
Start Time Task Force, provided information on the charge of the task force,
which includes looking into the pros and the cons of implementing changes.
 She spoke about her role as a parent and the importance of district-wide
engagement.
10:27:29 AM  

Ms. Winner spoke about the importance of research and utilizing existing resources in order to provide valuable recommendations to the JeffoCo Board of Education.
10:31:42 AM  
Mr. Cohan answered questions regarding
the impact on students of additional sleep.  He also spoke on the
importance of recognizing individualized pathways for students.
10:35:07 AM  

Ms. Winner and Mr. Cohan answered questions regarding schools that have already changed school start and end times.

10:37:52 AM  
Mr. Cohan answered questions regarding
transportation.
10:40:04 AM  

Ms. Winner spoke about the importance of community outreach.



Update from Denver Public Schools - Committee Discussion Only
10:45:27 AM  

Nicole Portee, Executive Director for Transportation for Denver Public Schools, came to the table.  She provided a handout to the committee members [Attachment C].  Ms. Portee spoke about the importance of allowing schools to have the flexibility in making academic decisions, including school start times. She spoke about the complexity involved with changing school start times on transportation and extracurricular activities.
10:51:01 AM  

Karen Higel, Athletic Director for Denver Public Schools, spoke about the consequences on athletics and extracurricular activities if school start times change.

10:53:20 AM  

Committee discussion ensued.
10:55:01 AM  

Ms. Portee answered questions from the committee regarding enrollment zones.
10:56:00 AM  

Ms. Higel answered questions from the committee on impacts to athletics and extracurricular activities.
10:59:01 AM  
Committee discussion ensued.



Update from Cherry Creek School District and School District 27J - Committee Discussion Only
11:00:44 AM  

Dr. Scott Siegfried, Superintendent of the Cherry Creek School District, spoke about the recent changes to the district's start times. He discussed the importance of focusing on what is best for students before examining transportation and athletics logistics.  Dr. Siegfried also spoke about the importance of outreach to students, teachers, and parents.
11:05:50 AM  

Will Pierce, Chief Academic Officer for School District 27J, told the committee about the district's recent changes to school start times.  He provided a handout to the committee members [Attachment D].  Mr. Pierce spoke on the importance of collecting survey data, as well as working with transportation, facilities, and extracurricular activities in determining whether and how to adjust school start times.
11:10:46 AM  
Mr. Pierce answered questions from the
committee on the implementation of a four-day school week and the impact
of school start times on students and teachers.
11:12:17 AM  
Dr. Siegfried and Mr. Pierce answered questions
from the committee about the impact of changing start time on their district's
athletic activities.
11:15:48 AM  
Dr. Siegfried and Mr. Pierce spoke on after
school care for children in order to accommodate working parents.
11:18:14 AM  
Committee discussion ensued.
11:19:50 AM  
Dr. Meltzer was called back to the table. She answered questions regarding the impact of changing start times on athletics.



Public Testimony - Committee Discussion Only
11:24:29 AM  

Laura Weinberg, representing herself, spoke about her community involvement in examining later school start times.  She spoke about the family benefits when students get enough sleep.  Ms. Weinberg answered questions from the committee.
11:30:30 AM  

An interested persons memorandum from Legislative Council Staff was distributed to the committee members [Attachment E].


11:32:21 AM   Committee Adjourned






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