The Leon County School Board unanimously approved a new seven-period day for the upcoming school year, but parents and students won’t find out about changes in schools’ start times just yet.

The board on Tuesday decided to delay a vote on school-start times so it can get more information on how schools will be affected. Currently, the school day has six periods. Half of the 46 schools in the district may see their start times change.

Ken Hawkins, a member of the School Advisory Council for Canopy Oaks Elementary School, said many parents from the school were upset after hearing the start time may be changed to 9 a.m. in the fall. Right now, classes start earlier. He said working parents would find it difficult to drop off their children, combat traffic and make it to work on time.

"There was no public outreach on this issue," Hawkins said. "We don’t have a lot of stay-at-home folks."

Proponents of a seven-period day say it will help increase graduation rates because it will allow students to earn more credits toward graduation. They would be able to earn 28 credit hours rather than the current 24.

Superintendent Jackie Pons said the start-times issue is a complicated one and the board needs to get more feedback from parents who want to voice concerns.

"You can never argue against more input," Pons said.

Precious Boatwright, who was a parent on the District Advisory Council, said most parents are fine with school-time changes. Students would be able to opt out of the seven-period day if they provide their own transportation to and from school.

Most start times wouldn’t change by more than 15 minutes, according to Assistant Superintendent Marvin Henderson. However, some schools could see bigger changes. A proposal for Griffin Middle School would change the day from 8:20 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. to 1:50 p.m.

That’s a welcome change if you ask Griffin Principal Michelle Gayle, who remembers when the school district had an earlier day.

"I found that students were more alert and came to school on time," Gayle said. "After talking to the parents … they were on board."

Henderson said the district will need to hire seven to 10 additional bus drivers under the seven-period day. Right now, an average of 278 buses run per day.

"Is everyone going to be happy with these start times?" asked School Board member Dee Crumpler. "In this business, that’s not going to happen."

The board is expected to vote on the school-times issue at the next meeting April 24.