Let us work together and think creatively to find solutions that are financially feasible and supported by educators, staff, students and their families. Although the later start time has been talked about for several years now and people are feeling impatient, I believe a yes vote to change the start time is premature. Northampton Public Schools have been absorbing cuts to their school budget since my daughter went to school here, that would be since 1998. A line by line look at the budget to find places to trim would be like trying to trim the fat from non-fat frozen yogurt. There will be a good time to change the school start time and we will recognize it when we see it. I do not support a half hour later start at the expense any classes, positions or programs.
M
Maryellen Ryan
11 years ago
Featured
As an NHS teacher and the parent of three children in Northampton's public schools, I do not support cutting existing programs at the high school to allow for a later start time.
D
Dylan Boyd
11 years ago
Featured
I strongly support starting the day later - there is plenty of recent research supporting this change. I do not agree that it should come at the cost of key offerings at the high school. This cannot be the only source of funds to make this change and until we find that alternative source I cannot support the delayed start initiative.
R
Rachel Stavely Hale
11 years ago
I have seen compelling studies demonstrating the merits of a later start time, but until such a change can be made at NHS without negative impacts on our course offerings, class sizes, or extracurricular activities, I will not be able to support it.
B
Beth Adams
11 years ago
As a teacher and as a parent, I would like to see a later start time at NHS. I do not, however, condone making the suggested cuts in order to fund it.
B
Barbara Bitgood
11 years ago
Featured
Please keep in mind that cutting classes means displacing students into other courses, increasing class sizes that are already consistently in the upper 20s and into the 30s. Large class sizes have a detrimental effect on all students.
R
Randy Gordon
11 years ago
I was a member of the committee that studied this issue. Though I see the strength of this argument, it never received a true mandate. Consistently, 1/3 of the population supported it. On top of that, this proposal would significantly harm the school. The proposal does not lead to a one time cost of $90,000. This would be a continuing burden on the school and/or the taxpayers. I support a continued search of how to do this better, without more harm than gain. Thank you.
M
Mark J. Baldwin
11 years ago
Late start has the potential to affect core academic and elective programs financially, and will negatively impact extracurricular, after-school events.
C
Cate Dollard
11 years ago
How can we say that more sleep is more important than larger class sizes and not being able to take electives? Cutting teachers is NEVER a good idea.
D
Donna Browne
11 years ago
Featured
Please let us not squander anymore resources on this change until we recover from the deep recession cuts. I have classes of 30 and no textbooks, this is not an ideal world!
D
Donna Waterman
11 years ago
Do not waste my taxpayer dollars on a late start of 30 minutes.
M
Melanie Samolewicz
11 years ago
I absolutely do not support a later start time that would drastically reduce funding at Northampton High School by $90,000 +.
K
Kimberly Schlichting
11 years ago
Our students will benefit by more class choices and smaller classers. I don't think starting a mere THIRTY minutes later for $90,000 is a wise choice.
J
James E. Bridgman
11 years ago
To cut funding for vibrant academic programs that inspire students to come to school in the first place, and move that funding to busing, makes no sense at all!
M
Maureen Moore
11 years ago
It is clear that all students would benefit from having more sleep, their engagement to the high school through the arts and courses that allow them to pursue their interests and to excel academically are integral to success in high school.
M
Michele Turner Bernhard
11 years ago
Featured
We love our high school and the diversity of our students. Our resources are stretched so thin, we cannot afford the deep cuts the a change in busing would create. Please do not make us fight for the arts and music programs we treasure, and all the choices are students have at NHS for challenge and inspiration!
B
Brant Jones
11 years ago
Didn't we just raise money to avoid cuts in the district?
M
Mark Morrison
11 years ago
I do not support a proposition for a later start time within the district at a cost of approximately $90,000 budgeted against the high school.
Let us work together and think creatively to find solutions that are financially feasible and supported by educators, staff, students and their families. Although the later start time has been talked about for several years now and people are feeling impatient, I believe a yes vote to change the start time is premature. Northampton Public Schools have been absorbing cuts to their school budget since my daughter went to school here, that would be since 1998. A line by line look at the budget to find places to trim would be like trying to trim the fat from non-fat frozen yogurt. There will be a good time to change the school start time and we will recognize it when we see it. I do not support a half hour later start at the expense any classes, positions or programs.
As an NHS teacher and the parent of three children in Northampton's public schools, I do not support cutting existing programs at the high school to allow for a later start time.
I strongly support starting the day later - there is plenty of recent research supporting this change. I do not agree that it should come at the cost of key offerings at the high school. This cannot be the only source of funds to make this change and until we find that alternative source I cannot support the delayed start initiative.
I have seen compelling studies demonstrating the merits of a later start time, but until such a change can be made at NHS without negative impacts on our course offerings, class sizes, or extracurricular activities, I will not be able to support it.
As a teacher and as a parent, I would like to see a later start time at NHS. I do not, however, condone making the suggested cuts in order to fund it.
Please keep in mind that cutting classes means displacing students into other courses, increasing class sizes that are already consistently in the upper 20s and into the 30s. Large class sizes have a detrimental effect on all students.
I was a member of the committee that studied this issue. Though I see the strength of this argument, it never received a true mandate. Consistently, 1/3 of the population supported it. On top of that, this proposal would significantly harm the school. The proposal does not lead to a one time cost of $90,000. This would be a continuing burden on the school and/or the taxpayers. I support a continued search of how to do this better, without more harm than gain. Thank you.
Late start has the potential to affect core academic and elective programs financially, and will negatively impact extracurricular, after-school events.
How can we say that more sleep is more important than larger class sizes and not being able to take electives? Cutting teachers is NEVER a good idea.
Please let us not squander anymore resources on this change until we recover from the deep recession cuts. I have classes of 30 and no textbooks, this is not an ideal world!
Do not waste my taxpayer dollars on a late start of 30 minutes.
I absolutely do not support a later start time that would drastically reduce funding at Northampton High School by $90,000 +.
Our students will benefit by more class choices and smaller classers. I don't think starting a mere THIRTY minutes later for $90,000 is a wise choice.
To cut funding for vibrant academic programs that inspire students to come to school in the first place, and move that funding to busing, makes no sense at all!
It is clear that all students would benefit from having more sleep, their engagement to the high school through the arts and courses that allow them to pursue their interests and to excel academically are integral to success in high school.
We love our high school and the diversity of our students. Our resources are stretched so thin, we cannot afford the deep cuts the a change in busing would create. Please do not make us fight for the arts and music programs we treasure, and all the choices are students have at NHS for challenge and inspiration!
Didn't we just raise money to avoid cuts in the district?
I do not support a proposition for a later start time within the district at a cost of approximately $90,000 budgeted against the high school.
I'm sure together we can construct solar panels to run electric school buses and save on energy costs instead of cutting curriculum.
I do not support cutting any existing programs at NHS to fund a later school start time.