The upcoming 2015-2016 school year is already proving to be another year of change for the LT community. The newly established potential bell schedule has morphed from the previously reported frontrunner.

The change includes switching from a schedule with a start time of 7:40 a.m. and a dismissal time of 3:02 p.m. to a schedule with a 7: 45 a.m. start time and a 3:05 p.m. dismissal, while still keeping the addition of a 25-minute study hall in the middle of the day, either followed by or preceding a 25-minute lunch.

This reallocation of minutes is due to concerns raised by teachers, students and administration alike about previously allowing only three minute passing periods in between the 25-minute study hall and coinciding lunch.

“All the research out there indicates that we should be starting later if anything because of sleep patterns,” Principal Dr. Brian Waterman said. “It was pretty obvious that a three minute passing period during the lunch/study would not work. If we are giving students and staff three minutes to be in a study period by a certain time, then we are essentially cutting into their lunch.”

Student response to the newly proposed schedule, specifically in regards to a later dismissal, is positive thus far.

“I think that since we get out at 3:04 p.m. on late start days already, it’s not a new concept and as long the start time stays the same, I’ll be happy,” Andrea Branz ’16 said.

While the Board of Education has reviewed the new proposal for next school year’s bell schedule, nothing is finalized yet.

“The board didn’t approve this officially but I think in general they were pretty pleased with the overall idea of it,” Waterman said. “There are committees looking at the intervention piece and at what the roles of teachers will be in this process. Then of course we also have collective bargaining coming up as well between the board and the teacher’s association.”

Amy Johnson, LT Teacher’s Association’s Chief Negotiator and English teacher, alongside her negotiating team has compiled a list of very definite questions the administration needs to address in the coming weeks.

“I need answers to some very specific questions that we have provided to Director of Curriculum Mr. Scott Eggerding and to Superintendent Dr. Tim Kilrea,” Johnson said. “Questions such as: Where are kids going during this time? When are interventions decided? Where are teachers going and what are they doing?”

According to Johnson, the goal is to have all parties involved with establishing the bell schedule in agreement by late January-early February. This is in order to begin collective bargaining negotiations between the teachers and administration, as the teacher association’s contract ends this June.

“Our primary concern isn’t a shaving of minutes here or there, but is this [25-minute study hall] going to help students,” Johnson said. “They’ve said that they’re stressed, but is this going to help them become less stressed?”