"It really started with a situation at Simonsen Ninth Grade Center. We have students who are coming from the high school and Lewis and Clark Middle School, who do their transfer at Simonsen, and we also have students at Simonsen being released and having to wait 15 or 20 minutes for their bus, all at the same location, which is on the city streets of Miller and Jackson. That is just not an ideal situation."

Luther says the proposal, if enacted, would have little effect on middle school and high school after school activities. Luther says officials are considering several factors, including daycare availability.

"We recognize that when you start tinkering with schedules, it affects a lot of people. And for three of our buildings that start at nine o'clock, the move to 7:30 or 7:45 or whatever it might be, that's a big change, and that's why we are going to continue to look at this, and come up with what we hope is the best option."

Luther says public hearings are planned, though none have been scheduled. He says a decision must be made by April for changes to go into effect next school year. © Copyright 2012, KBIA