Sara Sandstrom-Kobi, Nederland. Boulder Valley School District’s Board of Education has made the decision to move to a later start time for all high schools. This decision is based on conclusive evidence that the adolescent brain gets sleepier later at night and consequently needs to sleep later in the morning. This change across BVSD is to help high school students with their physical and mental health. This change also is an opportunity for more distance learning between high schools.

The new policy creates some challenges for Nederland schools. On February 11, 2019, representatives from BVSD met with parents. There were approximately 17 parents/teachers in attendance. Rob Price, Assistant Superintendent of Operations, Albert Samora, Director of Transportation, and Leslie Boyhan, School Nurse Consultant, came from BVSD.

Ms. Boyhan presented the scientific evidence behind the Board’s decision. Mr. Price then said that they are here to hear the concerns of how this affects Nederland. Mr. Price and Mr. Samora answered questions best they could, listened attentively and took notes as parents and teachers voiced concerns.

Nederland is in a more complicated situation compared to other schools in BVSD. Our buses serve pre-k through high school students on the same route and on the same bus. Transportation is a huge challenge with the start time changes. Mr. Samora was clear that there needs to be flexibility with transportation. There is also the issue of not having enough bus drivers for Nederland if there is an increase in routes.

Does the district move to have separate routes for elementary? How do parents juggle having children at different schools on different schedules? Does the elementary school change their start time as well? If the high school ends their day later what does that mean for kids in athletics who then have to miss more class time to get to a game two hours away? Does the middle school have the same schedule as the high school? Will our kids be walking home in the dark? How does this effect parents who drop their kids off at school and then drive down the hill for work? Will there be any before or after school care for the younger children? Can the school day be shorter and still meet Colorado requirements?

Rick Elertson, Intermin High School Principal, expressed his concerns about middle school athletics. If the middle school goes with the new high school schedule, will it line up with other middle schools?

The meeting was full of questions and a lot of “what-ifs”. It is clear that high school start times will be changing at the start of the 2019 – 2020 school year. How does this work in Nederland? That is not clear yet.

Mr. Price closed the meeting by saying, “We hear your concerns and now we have to study this and figure this out. We will explore different options and come back to Nederland and meet with you again.”

There obviously is no perfect answer for all the questions that were brought up. Everyone involved in Nederland schools will have to do some adjusting. This can be looked at as a chance to make some positive changes for our local students. In the next couple months there will be a clearer picture of what this means for families in Nederland schools.

(Originally published in the February 14, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)