Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Rochester School District is considering what Superintendent Kent Pekel is describing as "tweaks" to school start times for the next school year.

During his regular monthly appearance during Rochester Today on News-talk 1340 KROC-AM and 96.9 FM, Pekel indicated district staff are currently analyzing the findings of a recent survey conducted to gauge reactions to the possibility of moving the start of the school day for elementary students up by 15 minutes. He says the "tweaks" under consideration could also impact secondary students as well.

Rochester School District Eyeing Earlier School Start Time For Elementary Students

Kim David TSM

At the start of the current school year, the school district implemented major school start times changes that shifted the opening bell at the elementary schools from 9:25 AM to 7:55 AM. Middle school students now start their day at 8:35 AM and the opening bell at the high schools is 8:50 AM.

READ MORE: Rochester School Board Approves New School Start Times

Superintendent Pekel says the administration and members of the Rochester School Board felt it was important to have the younger students start earlier and stated that classroom teachers reported that the elementary students were less focused later in the day with the previous later start time.

Pekel. Rochester Public Schools

During the discussion on Rochester Today, Pekel noted that the complex transportation logistics involved in making the school start time changes required shaving 15 minutes off of the school day for the elementary students this year. He says the plan being considered would move the elementary school start time to 7:40 AM to regain the lost 15 minutes for academic reasons. Pekel says adding 15 minutes to the end of the elementary daily schedule is also being studied, but he considers that option to be less likely.

Get our free mobile app

Pekel indicated that a decision on a recommendation for potential changes to school start times is expected in a few weeks.

13 Things You Never Knew That Were Invented in Minnesota

There are a handful of things that most Minnesotans know were invented in the state, like SPAM or Post-It notes, but did you know grocery bags with handles is a Minnesota invention? Let's take a look at some other little known Minnesota inventions.

Gallery Credit: Tony Hart