There will be no change in the daily schedule for students at the four Batavia City School District buildings.
“After thoughtful consideration and collaboration over the last six weeks, the members of the Batavia Teachers’ Association voted against a proposal to change the start and end times at all district buildings,” BTA President Mark Warren said following today's online voting by union members.
District administration had suggested the change during the 2020-21 budget process, maintaining that the proposed starting and ending times would save $200,000 in transportation costs. The outcome of the vote will not affect the passed budget.
With the “no” vote by the teachers, the school day will continue as follows:
-- Batavia High and Batavia Middle, 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
-- John Kennedy Elementary and Jackson Primary, 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The proposal called for BHS and BMS to be on 7:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. schedule, and for JK and Jackson to be on a 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. schedule.
Warren said he exit polls revealed two main concerns.
“The current research on sleep patterns and the school day for teenagers supports a later start time for secondary students, and concerns were also expressed over modifying the students’ schedule in the midst of all of the changes going on due to the pandemic,” Warren said.
He said the BTA’s goal moving forward is “to work collaboratively with district administration as we determine the best path to reopen the school buildings in the fall to ensure the safety of students and employees.”
Warren said all four building votes would have had to be favorable for the measure to pass, but indicated that it was rejected at all four schools.
