All four people running for seats on the Barrington School Committee support a move toward later school start times. 

They also believe the school committee could do a better job communicating with the public about the start time initiative.

Gina Bae, a Democrat, said it's hard to understand where the start time initiative stands right now. 

"Even at the last meeting, I felt that it still wasn't very clear," she said.

Ms. Bae was a member of the district strategic planning process and was surprised when the plan was released. She said the plan lacks any detail about the implementation of later school start times, and hopes that is cleared up in the near future.

Ms. Bae called for a timeline that includes deadlines for the start time initiative, "so that people really know what's happening." Ms. Bae also said officials would be wise to improve the communication with the public regarding start times. 

Erika Sevetson agrees — she said the next school committee needs to be "up front" and have a clear communication plan. 

"There are a lot of people who just want to know 'Are we doing this?'" she said. 

Ms. Sevetson said the committee has done a good job addressing many of the issues surrounding a future start time change — Barrington now offers before- and after-school childcare at the elementary school level and a transportation study has been completed. 

Ms. Sevetson supports a move toward later school start times for middle and high school students in Barrington. She said there is plenty of evidence that supports numerous benefits for students from a later start time. 

"This will not solve everything, but this is the low-hanging fruit…" said Ms. Sevetson, adding that 8:30 a.m. would be a good start time for the district's older students.

A Democrat, Ms. Sevetson said the current junior class at Barrington High School was in eighth grade when a prior school committee initially approved a start time change. The board later voted to delay implementation of the change and then cited financial constraints for another delay. 

"I do think we have failed our students by not identifying our issues and not being able to tackle them," she said. "And I do think our students are suffering for it."

Patrick McCrann voiced concerns about the delayed implementation of later school start times.

"It is very frustrating to know that all these institutions have come out and said our kids need more sleep and we're still hemming and hawing," said Mr. McCrann. 

A Democrat, Mr. McCrann said that while he has been frustrated with the delays, he believes Barrington has taken steps in the right direction. He referenced the before- and after-school childcare, a new homework policy, and the transportation study.

"I think we should put it (school start times) front and center and celebrate what we've done," he said. "We've already done so much to move forward…"

Mr. McCrann said the "next logical step" toward implementing later start times would be a move to two-tier busing. Mr. McCrann and Ms. Sevetson said the transportation study showed that the district could switch to two-tier busing for a minimal cost increase. 

John Alessandro is a current member of the Barrington School Committee. He said that while he supports to later school start times for older students, officials need to weigh all the factors involved, including cost.

"I think the next school committee is going to have to address the issue," he said. "You can't go spending peoples' money willy-nilly and not know what this costs."

Mr. Alessandro, a Republican, said the school committee also needs to make sure that the district's teachers are "on board" with a move to later start times. He said the teachers have been very good about following through with different educational initiatives … "we need to be good to them with the start time initiative."

Question: What do you think the next school committee should do regarding school start times, if anything?

John Alessandro: "Changing the start time is better for kids, but you have to weigh all the factors." Mr. Alessandro said the next school committee needs to address all the issues that a start time change would impact. He also said "Parents need to be parents" and limit their children's screen time before bed. He later added "I, 100 percent, agree that a later start time is better."

Gina Bae: "I am definitely a supporter of (later) school start times — I believe in the science and research around it." Ms. Bae added that the district needs to lay out a clear timeline for the implementation of later school start times, "so that people really know what's happening."

Patrick McCrann: "It is very frustrating to know that all these institutions have come out and said our kids need more sleep and we're still hemming and hawing." Mr. McCrann said that Barrington's "next logical step" is a move toward two-tier busing. He also celebrated some of the things that have come from the district's ongoing start time discussion. "It may turn out that the way Barrington did it might be the best possible way."

Erika Sevetson: "I don't think anyone should be surprised to hear that we should move forward (with later school start times)." Ms. Sevetson said that many of the issues that were raised after the initiative was delayed have been addressed. She added that the next school committee needs to be "up front" and have a clear communication plan regarding school start times.