School starting and ending times for Geary USD 475 schools could change at the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year.

Teacher contract negotiators reported Thursday that under the proposal Junction City High School would begin classes at 8:30 a.m. and end at 3:35 p.m., meaning a 45-minute later starting time and 50-minute later dismissal time than in the current school year.

Elementary schools would begin at 8 a.m. and end their day at 3:15 p.m., while the middle schools would begin at 7:50 a.m. and dismiss at 2:50 p.m.   Those hours compare with 8:20 to 3:35 at the elementary school level  and 8:25 until 3:25 for the middle schools in the current school year.

Junction City Education Association President Cathy Rankin said everyone on every level will have to make adjustments. “I think we’re hoping it will be much better for the high school as far as grades. The research has shown for 20 years or more that teenagers really do better in school with a later start time.”

The Interest Based Bargaining Team will review the proposed teaching contract for the next school year on May 9.   The school starting and ending times would be part of that agreement. If the contract gets negotiator approval on the ninth, a tentative agreement could be announced, and the contract would be submitted to the JCEA membership for a ratification vote. If the teachers approve it, the proposed contract would then go to the Board of Education for final consideration.