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Debate over later class start times shifts to Montgomery County

By Nick Iannelli

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Three months after the Fairfax County school system decided to push back start times, the same debate has shifted to Montgomery County.

During a pair of public hearings Thursday, parents and others will share their thoughts on later school start times.

The idea has the support of Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Joshua Starr, but he has concerns that a schedule shift would be too costly due to transportation changes.

“It has to be viewed in the context of other priorities that impact students as well as staff, families, the broader community and the operating budget,” Starr said last week in front of the county’s board of education.

There are several potential schedule changes on the table for Montgomery County schools.

Starr supports a proposal to push start times at all schools back 20 minutes.  That would be the least expensive option.

Thursday’s public hearings will be held at the Carver Educational Services Center in Rockville.

The first runs from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The second hearing starts at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m.

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