Spokane Public Schools considers later school start times to benefit students [Video]

SPOKANE, Wash. – Spokane Public Schools is exploring the potential benefits of shifting school start times for the 2026-2027 academic year.

During Wednesday’s Spokane Public Schools (SPS) board meeting, Nikki Lockwood, President of the Spokane School Board, revisited the “balanced calendar” idea. Lockwood shared insights on shortening summer break and extending other breaks, alongside a proposal to delay school start times.

“This was a natural progression now that we’ve done the balance calendar work to look at start times,” Lockwood said.

The proposed changes suggest elementary schools would start at 8:30 a.m., middle schools at 9:00 a.m., and high schools at 8:00 a.m. Spokane Schools Chief Academic Officer Heather Bybee introduced the idea, emphasizing several advantages.

“The research says that adolescent kids should sleep longer,” Bybee stated.

Bybee highlighted research indicating later start times might improve physical health, reduce obesity rates, and lower the risk of accidents from sleep deprivation. …