What you’re saying: Should Butler County schools start no earlier than 8:30 a.m.?

Some people on social media are pushing back on the idea of pushing back daily school start times under a proposed state law.

And some love it.

Last week, the Journal-News reported on the reactions of area school officials to an Ohio bill introduced by Ohio Sen. Sandra Williams, D-Cleveland, that would mandate all public schools in the state to start classes no earlier than 8:30 a.m.

Some Butler and Warren county high schools start as early as 7:15 a.m.

School boards and districts officials in each of Ohio’s 613 public school systems decide when classes start in the morning for their local schools.

Driving the bill are concerns about student safety in the early morning and often dark hours and a desire to address concerns about the effects of lack of student sleep as shown by numerous studies in recent years.

But the bill was a wake-up call for many on social media who commented on the Journal-News’ Facebook site, splitting between supporters and opponents.

Some samples include:

David Bradley – "This should be decided on a district basis. This is not something the state should decide. The sponsors of this need to be voted out as they have no understanding of the proper roles of the various levels of government."

Dave Hazelwood – "It would be a disaster for all after school activities, just to satisfy a few that won't go to bed early enough to get enough rest."

Zachary Morningstar – "There is a growing body of evidence that later school start times have a positive effect on attendance and academic performance. Breaking from tradition isn't always a bad thing, especially when it's backed by data."

Barbara Roof Holland – "What will that do to bus picks up? As many buses pick up elementary, preschool, and high schools students, same buses, same drivers!! Different times!!!!!!!!"

Faye Tim Verquer – "By late starts this is not preparing these high school kids for "real life" they need to go earlier and get accustomed to getting up early for work/school etc….we are raising a very lazy society."

Stephanie Brown – "And and ya wonder why most kids are so soft now days… TAKE THEIR ELECTRONICS AT NIGHT make them go to bed at a decent time… BE A freaking parent instead (of) a friend!"

Mike Gall – "Why don't they worry about how the schools in Ohio are funded instead?"

Kristi Susong – "I love it. I hate that my high schoolers have to out in dark waiting on the bus."

Dionna Kursim – "I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this idea!! My daughter is standing at her bus top at 6:47 Am!! In the fall that's pretty scary for her and I! I pray that this passes!!"

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