
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, March 17, 1991                   TAG: 9103150353
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

RINER PARENT AGAINST SCHOOL HOUR CHANGE

The fact that the new school schedule proposed by the Montgomery County School Board will not save money, compromises the safety of our children and creates a scheduling nightmare for parents who have children in both the high and middle schools and elementary schools is hard to dispute.

The School Board claims its intention was to equalize the school day for teachers and students countywide. I fail to see why it is necessary for two high and middle schools to start one hour and five minutes earlier to accomplish this.

Faculty members have pointed out that one of the biggest problems in high school is morning tardiness. Now we want high school students to get to school more than an hour earlier?

I have seen scientific studies that suggest adolescents are not exactly at their best in the early morning. One could dispute the study, but can one dispute common sense?

It has been suggested that the earlier release for high school students would accommodate those who have full-time jobs after school.

How many students fall into this category? What are our priorities? Is it our business to encourage students to hold full-time positions? Or is it our business to encourage children to get an education?

Finally, I have to express my resentment as a parent and taxpayer that the people in this community were given no opportunity to express their concerns about this proposal before it was decided.

When I first heard of it last spring, I went to local school authorities to inquire about it and to find out where I could voice my objections. I was assured that the plan was not, after all, going to be considered. And yet, here it is!

Despite the fact that school officials think the change was needed and will work, it is highly questionable that this will prove to be true in the case of the Riner area. If the current county policy that says no student can be picked up before 7 a.m. is so easily adjusted to accommodate the School Board's "equity" proposal, I would like to suggest that further adjustments be made so that the biggest burden created by this plan will not fall on rural areas such as Riner.

Nancy Trivette

Riner

by CNB