Take Action On Later Start Times: Hillsborough Doctor Implores School District

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough's School Physician and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics for Penn Medicine Princeton Health Dr. Bert Mandelbaum is imploring the Board of Education(BOE) to look at implementing later school start times.

"It's hard sending these kids to school struggling with lack of sleep when there is something we can do about it. I think imploring you guys as a small group to think about it, dive into it, take some action and look to see if it's feasible. And I think you will do a huge service to a ton of kids," said Mandelbaum.

Mandelbaum made a presentation on the benefits of later school start times for Hillsborough students during the Monday night BOE meeting.

Benefits of having later school start times included improvement in mental health, improved grades, improved attendance, improved graduation rates, improved athletic performance, a reduction in sports injuries, and a reduction in teen auto accidents.

He ended his presentation with a quote, " 'To do nothing is really to do harm' - and that's kind of where I sit on this," said Mandelbaum.

Superintendent Michael Volpe said the school board is currently engaging in a strategic planning process.

"That process does take time and perhaps coming out of that process with feedback from the community could be a change in our school start times," said Volpe.

He added that the change would not happen in the fall as there are a lot of logistical factors involved including figuring out transportation.

"I'm not ready to make a move but we want to get as much good information that we can," said Volpe.

Resident Tiffany Neal, who has spoken in favor of later start times at multiple school board meetings, also made comments on May 8.

"I encourage you to look through the PowerPoint, it's an extremely compelling case. I trust that the Board and Superintendent will be able to find a way to make this work for our kids because it's what they need. It's what's best for our students and I know that is why all of you guys are in the roles that you are in," said Neal.

The presentation can be seen below beginning at 5:30. Additionally, the presentation is supposed to be posted on the district's website at htps.us this week.

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