North Salem readies for later school start times

NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - North Salem students will be getting an extra 30 minutes of shut-eye starting this September.

After a lot of weighing of the pros and cons, the Board of Education last year approved changing school start times to 7:58 a.m. at the Middle/High School and to 8:55 a.m. at Pequenakonck Elementary School.

The MS/HS’s day will end at 2:40 p.m. and PQ’s, at 3:25 p.m.

“The start time change aligns with our district’s unwavering efforts to prioritize student health and well-being,” said Trustee Beth Malvino. “I think kids will quickly see and feel the benefits of getting some more rest.”

Before being elected to the school board, Malvino had served on the district’s school start time committee, which included parents, teachers, administrators and board members.

Starting in 2023, discussions were held with the community and surveys were conducted with all district stakeholders.

This feedback influenced the final recommendation, considering practical matters such as athletic schedules, childcare options, and extended-day activities, including clubs and academic support.

The committee evaluated seven different time proposals before recommending a 30-minute shift for all schools.

The aim was to “enhance learning conditions and quality of life while minimizing disruptions to family schedules, community programs, and transportation costs,” the district said.

It was decided that a two-year rollout was necessary to ensure that all logistical impacts were addressed.

The committee reviewed existing literature, scientific research, and best practices concerning school start times and their effects on students' physical, mental, and intellectual health.

“Balancing the needs of all stakeholders weighed heavily on the committee throughout the process,” Superintendent Dr. Adam VanDerStuyf said.

“In the end, the committee felt strongly that this recommended change would be most beneficial for our students,” he added.

 Among the organizations plumbed for relevant data were the American Medical Association (AMA), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), all of which have recommended that middle and high schools start no earlier than 8:30 a.m.

Also cited was the New York State School Boards Association’s (NYSSBA) support of appropriate changes to state law, regulations, and policies that encouraged and incentivized school districts to address the issue of sleep deprivation in teenagers.

According to research, adolescents naturally have a delayed sleep-wake cycle.

That means that they tend to fall asleep later and wake up later than younger children or adults.

Early start times can lead to sleep deprivation and have negative consequences on physical and mental health.

Getting the appropriate amount of rest is important to cognitive function. It helps reduce daytime sleepiness, which can improve students’ focus and alertness in class.

Adequate sleep is also crucial for mental health, according to studies that have shown students in schools with later start times experience better moods, fewer symptoms of depression, and improved overall psychological well-being.

There are physical benefits, too.

Not getting enough sleep can contribute to obesity, diabetes, and weakened immune systems, studies has found.

Well-rested students perform better academically. That translates to improved grades, increased attendance rates, and less tardiness.

Sleep deprivation impairs judgment and reaction time. Getting more snooze time decreases the risk of accidents, such as car crashes, and athletic injuries.

The change reflects a growing trend in the nation and the region, the district noted in 2023 pointing to districts that now have later start times such as Katonah-Lewisboro, Dobbs Ferry, and Briarcliff Manor in New York, and Greenwich, Newtown, and New Canaan in Connecticut.

Promising that it was “committed to supporting” students and families during the transition, the district said last week that the shift “represents a strategic investment in students' well-being and academic success to foster a more enriching and safer educational experience for everyone involved."

Good to Know

For more information, visit www.northsalemschools.org, scroll down to the MSHS’s Tuesday Newsday page, look for the “From the Superintendent’s Office” section, and click on “School Start Time Slideshow Presentation.”

Also available are links to studies on the impact of sleep deficiency on adolescent health, expert recommendations, and the effects of later start times.

Budget Brief

The school district is proposing a 2025-2026 budget of $52,377,964, which represents a 3.64 percent increase over the current spending plan of $50,536,389.

If the budget passes, the tax levy will rise by $1,257,464 or 2.9 percent to $44,598,468 in FY 2025-2026.

Tax rates are set by towns. Tax rates are different in each of the four towns served by the district. Individual property owners won’t know what the actual impact is until assessment rolls and equalization rates are finalized in the summer.

The budget vote and school board elections are set for Tuesday, May 20.

Voters will also cast ballots on a proposition to fund a $24.5 million districtwide capital project.

It includes health/safety, infrastructure, and “student experience” items at the Middle/High School such as interior improvements to library and quad areas, exterior paving and concrete improvements, roof improvements, electrical service upgrades, unit ventilator upgrades, interior ventilation improvements, and a lobby upgrade and exterior extension.

At PQ, it would fund library and multipurpose room renovations, exterior paving and concrete improvements, upgraded roadway drainage, the replacement of exterior windows and window and roof flashings, masonry restoration, and heating system upgrades.

It would also pay for improvements at the school bus garage such as paving, a new bus lift, and upgraded diesel and gasoline fueling stations.

For more detailed information and FAQs visit www.northsalemschools.org/board-of-education/capitalproject.

The budget is scheduled for adoption on Wednesday, April 9. A budget hearing (including a discussion of the contingency budget) is set for Wednesday, May 7.

There are three school board seats up for grabs this year. They are currently occupied by board vice president Brandy Keenan, trustee Deborah D’Agostino, and trustee Frances Havard.

Folks have until Monday, April 21, to submit their nominating petitions to the district.