School Start Times Committee Established

By Larissa Lytwyn

In response to continuing contention surrounding school start times in Newtown and buoyed with ever-increasing volumes of medical research, the Board of Education unanimously approved the establishment of the 15-member School Start Times Committee October 1.

The committee, according to a formal charge released by Superintendent of Schools Evan Pitkoff, “will investigate current research, study data, and discuss all relevant findings in order to present a feasible recommendation –– or series of recommendations –– regarding start times for Newtown Public Schools.” 

Composed of parents, teachers, administrators, health professionals, town council and board members, and even a high school student, the only “glaring omission,” noted Vice Chairman Vincent Saviano, was the absence of a Board of Finance member.

“I feel strongly that they should be there,” said school board member and School Start Times Committee member Lisa Schwartz. “At least just sit as an observer.” Ms Schwartz served on a similarly themed committee two years ago to help discern the best busing system for future Reed Intermediate School students.

School Start Time Committee member Barbara Bloom offered to call Board of Finance members to try to persuade them to join the committee.

School Board Secretary Margaret Hull expressed concern about the School Start Times Committee “lumping the middle school and elementary school with the high school” during research. If this happens, she said, “the middle and elementary schools will fall prey to an inordinate amount of wait time merely because the high school poses such a real challenge.” The challenge, she continued, would be establishing an ideal start time with consideration to extracurricular activities, after-school jobs, and sports teams. Further, “there is a long tradition of attending school at this [earlier] time,” she said.

Ms Hull believes that any new start times should occur in two phases, beginning with the middle and elementary schools because the high school is more challenging.

Board member Earl Gordon emphasized the importance of simply researching the issue. “There are too many ‘ifs,’ too many ‘maybes.’ We need to have more data,” he said. Mr Gordon reminded the board that the three-tier busing system was approved “in the 11th hour,” without the opportunity to study the issues surrounding it more closely.

“I just want to say that not all parents have a problem with the [three-tier] schedule,” said David Nanavaty, a Hawley parent. “I’ve talked to a lot of parents, and they like the new schedule a lot.” Hawley’s schedule was minimally affected by the change in school start times. Head O’ Meadow, Middle Gate, and Sandy Hook School, in contrast, begin more than an hour later than last year. Students return home shortly before dusk.

“I would like to say that there are a lot of elementary school parents who are upset with the change,” said Michelle Hankin, a Head O’ Meadow parent. “There is really a wide range of opinion out there. We need to realize that not all aspects of this issue have the same weight. The clear objective should be the children’s education.”

Committee meetings will be open to the public. Board opinions were mixed on whether public participation should be a part of the research-focused group. “I thought there would be public participation,” said Chairman Elaine McClure. “I encourage it.” However the committee organized the section, whether persons were timed to speak or allowed to speak on certain days, she said, was up to them to establish. “But, on the record, I really am a strong supporter of [public participation],” she said.

Mr Gordon was more hesitant. Reminding the board about the emotional aspect to the issue, he accentuated the committee’s research focus. “No one lives in a vacuum here,” he said. “Committee members can be contacted [privately].”

Ex-officio members Dr Pitkoff, Transportation Director Mary Kelly, and Athletic Director Gregg Simon will work with the committee. In addition to school board member Lisa Schwartz and parent Barbara Bloom, parents Deborra Zukowsky, Wendy Leon-Gambetta, Alan Clavette, and psychologist Elizabeth Jacobs will serve. Deborah Wollman-Pollack, MD, a sleep expert, will also serve. Newtown High School Principal William Manfredonia, Newtown Middle School Principal Diane Sherlock, and Middle Gate Principal Judy Gallo are also members. High School teacher and teachers’ union representative Candi Dietter, pediatrician Richard Auerback, MD, Legislative Council member Peggy Baiad, high school student Greg Gordon, and Carol Recht will also serve.

The School Start Time Committee will meet in the Board of Education offices, 4 Fairfield Circle, on Monday, October 6, at 7:30 pm. The public is welcome to attend.