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Seattle school board to vote on changing school start times -- again

SEATTLE — The Seattle school board is taking a vote Wednesday night on a proposal that could keep students at school longer.

The board could make adjustments that would keep older students in school until late afternoon.

If adopted, Seattle students will have their school schedules changed for the second time in two years.

The change is causing concern from parents and commuters.  With students getting out later, and with after school activities, extra congestion, especially around high schools, is a possibility.

There are a lot of possible changes, depending on the school level.

In essence, the new plan would generally see schools start 10 minutes earlier and get out 10 minutes later than this year’s times.

There would also be a change to Seattle Public Schools' tiered start times. They would change from three tiers to two.

That means middle and high school students wouldn't get out until almost 4 p.m.

Opening bell for elementary age students would be 8 a.m.

Another part of the proposal would add an early release day every week, so teachers would have more time to organize lesson plans.

Students would get out of school 75 minutes early once a week.

A big part of frustration on parents’ part is because Seattle Public Schools just made sweeping schedule changes before the current school year by starting high school students later, and younger students earlier.

The school board has gotten an earful from parents who are upset about more changes.