School board to discuss Barrington High start times Tuesday

The Barrington Area Unit School District 220 board will meet Tuesday night to again discuss options for moving back the start of classes at Barrington High School to give students more time to sleep.

About 300 parents, students and other community members turned out last week when the board first took up the controversial issue.

Input 220, an advisory panel established by the school board, is recommending that the start of classes be pushed back from its current 7:20 a.m. to either 9 a.m. or 9:30 a.m. Proponents say the move will help students physically and academically, as a lack of sleep for teens has been linked to an increased risk of depression, obesity, suicide and even car accidents.

Opponents say they do not mind a later start time, but not at the expense of time in the classroom. The options recommended by Input 220 could reduce class time by as much as six minutes per period.

The school board meets at 6 p.m. at Barrington High School, 616 W. Main St., Barrington. The start time issue is expected to come up at about 7:30 p.m., according to the meeting agenda.