There have been recent discussions about later start times for high schools in the state. There are also considerable discussions being held regarding the idea of staying on daylight saving time year-round. These two ideas are in direct opposition to each other.
Most people who advocate year-round daylight saving time seem not to remember that the nation tried it in 1974. It was horrible. I was in junior high and vividly remember waking up in the pitch black, riding the bus in the pitch black and not seeing any hint of dawn until well into first period. It was so despised that it was repealed after only one year. Now many Utahns want to relive the history they have forgotten. It certainly would negate any benefits of later start times for the kids. Here’s why:
If the state were to remain on daylight saving time year-round, then during the school year the students would actually be getting up an hour earlier than they are now. Starting school an hour later would have the net effect of keeping the times the same as now. Does it make any sense to substantially alter the morning routines of every school system and every household with school children by shifting start times one hour later, only to have the net effect be nothing? To make a later start time efficacious, the high schools would have to start some two hours later to have them get the benefit of a later start time. This is ridiculous.
If we are serious about the benefits to our children of later start times, we need to give up the idea of year-round daylight saving time.
Brian Myers
Bountiful