New start times for Hilton Head students to match rest of Beaufort County

Hilton Head Island Middle School students who crave a little extra sleep in the morning have reason to celebrate.

Last month, the Beaufort County school board voted to move middle and high school school start times ahead from about 8 a.m. to about 9 a.m for the 2016-17 school year. The decision also moves elementary school classes back to 8 a.m. from about 8:30 a.m.

But, the board opted to keep start times at Hilton Head Island schools as they were, citing potential conflicts with bus schedules among the reasons for the decision.

The board reversed course Friday and voted to amend the new bell schedule plan to include island schools.

At Hilton Head Island Middle School, start times will move from about 7:20 a.m. to about 9 a.m.

Hilton Head Island High School, which first piloted a version of the later start times in 2014, will continue starting classes around 8:35 a.m.

In 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended middle and high schools delay the start of class to 8:30 a.m. or later.

Board member Evva Anderson stressed Friday that it “is so important for all of our children to get enough rest.”

Kim Boyce, parent of an island middle schooler and high schooler, said Friday that she is “really thrilled” about the board’s change of heart.

When she heard last month that Hilton Head Island Middle School’s start times were set to remain unchanged, “the gloves really came off, and I said, ‘We’ve got to get to the bottom of this.’ ”

“If (the school district) thinks pushing the (start times forward) is good enough for everybody else in the county, it needs to be good enough for Hilton Head Middle School,” she said.

School district leaders understood concerns from parents, several board members said Friday.

Board member Geri Kinton said, “We have a responsibility as a board to do what is in the best interest of the student bodies, … and we have a responsibility to listen to what our constituents say.”

She called the start time change “a big and bold move” and said she has “had kids jump up and hug” her upon learning about the board’s decision.

This story was originally published April 1, 2016 at 7:17 PM with the headline "New start times for Hilton Head students to match rest of Beaufort County."