The Natchitoches Parish School Board held a town hall meeting on Oct. 28 following its Special Called Meeting to hear public feedback on proposed changes to school start and end times for the 2026–2027 academic year.

Board members and district staff discussed the potential impact of staggered start times designed to shorten long bus routes, especially for students living in rural areas such as Goldonna and Cloutierville. Board member Chad Fredieu acknowledged the complexity of the issue, emphasizing that the proposal was meant to address student safety and lengthy travel times, but added that “a lot of questions remain.”

He shared that the feedback he has received from constituents has been largely opposed to the proposed changes, citing more than 100 messages from Northwestern State University employees who start their workdays at 7:30 a.m. and expressed concern about how the schedule shift could affect families. He noted that bus drivers, however, generally viewed the proposed change favorably.

Other board members noted receiving mixed responses from the public. Board member Billy Benefield said he had heard strong support for exploring the changes, particularly from those who believe a later start would better serve students’ health and academic needs.

“Our biggest concern should be about children,” he said. “We have to do the best we can to get them to school on time and ready to learn.”

Parents and community members who spoke during the town hall expressed both support and concern. Some parents shared how later start times could conflict with work schedules or interfere with students’ after-school therapy appointments, while others cited research supporting the benefits of later start times for adolescents’ mental health and academic performance.

Several speakers described how early bus pickups, some as early as 5:30 a.m., affect children’s sleep and safety. Others worried that longer afternoon schedules could result in students arriving home after dark, particularly in winter months.

District Superintendent Dr. Grant Eloi explained that the proposal was developed with both student well-being and transportation efficiency in mind.

“Older kids need more sleep to function well,” he said. “We’re looking for a solution that improves attendance, performance, and safety without disrupting instruction time.”

Board members agreed that no final decision should be made until additional analysis and adjustments are completed. The administration plans to review feedback and present an updated version of the proposal at the November meeting, with a possible vote in December.