Bill Would Delay High School Start Times

The Senate Education Committee held an informational hearing Tuesday, April 17, to review a bill that would prohibit secondary schools from starting classes before 8:30 a.m. and ban bus times for elementary students before 7:00 a.m. Sponsored by Senator Jim Abeler, R-Anoka, the bill is designed to address sleep deprivation in high school students.

"I am very concerned about the lack of sleep for our children," said Abeler. "This is a health issue for our children and a public safety issue for all Minnesotans," he added. He explained that sleep deprivation impacts students learning and health.

Speaking in support of the measure, Dr. Suresh Kotagal of the Mayo Clinic said, "The melatonin, which is a natural sleep producing hormone in these kids doesn't really arise in the bloodstream until about ten-thirty or eleven. No matter how hard they try...these kids are not able to fall asleep before ten-thirty or eleven."

Kevin Donovan of the Mahtomedi School District said the school board struggled with the issue, especially the impact of later high school start times on elementary and middle school students. "We were going to have to flop the elementary schools from a later start to a very early start. We would have kids out on the bus stop at six-thirty...parents don't want to do that," he said.

The committee will not take action on the bill this session. They also reviewed a proposal that would require the display of the national motto, "In God We Trust" in school buildings.