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Norfolk Public Schools considers changing school start times, consolidating three schools

Norfolk Public Schools is considering a change to school start times and consolidating three schools, but the school board wants to hear families' perspectives.

NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Public School officials met community members on Wednesday night to discuss shifting start times for every school in the division. 

Currently, High School students in Norfolk Public Schools start class around 7:30 am. Middle school students start at 8:15 and Elementary Schools either start at 8:15, 8:55, or 9:30.

If later start times do go into effect, high schools could start between 8:15-9 o’clock. Middle and elementary schools would start before that. 

“They would be able to get a little bit more sleep at night, especially having a teenager in your house such as mine that works at night,” explained parent Towanda Furell.

Dr. Noelle Gabriel is Norfolk’s School Board Chairwoman. She also is a physician with EVMS. She explained that an extra hour of sleep each night can make a big difference in a teenager's learning.

“The direct impact on students is going to be one, Student achievement and two, a better outcome for mental and physical health,” Dr. Gabriel explained.

Dr. Gabriel said some parents aren’t for the plan due to sports schedules, part-time jobs and babysitting.

“Some of the older kids who come home early are responsible at home and so that’s a factor that we have to take into consideration and we are not looking at Norfolk as cookie cutter in this whole later start times, but what can we do to personalize it,” said Gabriel.

The other big issue being debated was whether to potentially close elementary schools like Fairlawn and Poplar Hills and convert Lake Taylor Middle school into a K through 8.

“I think there is potential for negative influence on the younger kids who perhaps don’t need that yet, there is a lot of peer situations, peer pressure,” said one parent.

Other parents say you have to look at the financial aspects. All three schools are in need of millions of dollars of renovations, yet enrollment isn’t high enough to keep all three open, so why not consolidate.

“I know school closings are never the popular thing to do but we must physically be responsible with our money,” said another parent.

School officials said this isn’t the last hearing. Dr. Gabriel said the plan is to have at least one more meeting. A survey will also go out to parents in the near future. 

The school board will vote on these issues in February.

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