Rapides Seeks Views On Changing School Start Times

ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP) — School officials in Rapides Parish are seeking opinions from teachers, parents and others on whether school start times should be changed.

The Rapides Parish School District administration has circulated an online survey to all parish school "stakeholders." The district hopes to gauge opinions on starting the school day for junior high and high schools later and for elementary schools earlier in the mornings.

Superintendent Nason "Tony" Authement said the survey originated from his superintendent advisory committee. That panel includes principals and assistant principals representing elementary, middle and high schools as well as members of the Central Office staff.

He said principals have requested that the district change its school start times, which generally have high schools beginning earlier than elementary schools.