SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Board of Education has taken another step toward implementing late starts in its high schools, and possibly its middle schools.
The board voted Tuesday to direct Salt Lake City School District Superintendent Lexi Cunningham to form a form a task force to provide recommendations to the board with possible implementation of late school starts at the start of the 2021-22 school year.
The board charged the task force to develop a path so school could start at 8:45 a.m. at high schools and possibly middle schools.
Board President Melissa Ford said she is excited that the community came together on an initiative that will benefit students.
“I’ve appreciated the opportunities we’ve had thus far to hear from stakeholders, both those who support, and those who have concerns about late start. Our board is mindful of the many ways this change will impact families across the Salt Lake City School District, and we look forward to continuing our work with community members and stakeholders on this very important issue,” Ford said in statement.
Board member Katherine Kennedy, in making the motions on the late start, asked the board to remember the late board member Heather Bennett, who supported late school starts in secondary schools. Bennett died unexpectedly in March 2019.
Bennett “expended great effort during her final years as a board member to reach this goal for our school district. Her efforts made a difference,” Kennedy said.
The board plans to continue to discuss the issue and hear reports from the task force in future board meetings.