The Palo Alto Unified School District is considering pushing start times 15 minutes earlier for high schools starting next year, according to Superintendent Don Austin.

Austin, in a weekly update on Jan. 9, stated that PAUSD is considering the move after a request by the Palo Alto Educators’ Association.

“It looks like that can happen without creating unintended consequences,” Austin wrote. “While this is not official yet, I wanted to foreshadow the potential minor adjustment for next year.”

Assistant principal Michael Stieren supports the potential schedule change because it allows extracurriculars to start earlier, letting students return home earlier in the day.

“The later start pushes the end of the school day out past 4 p.m. on many days, which has a cascading effect of pushing after school activities like athletic practice, theatrical or musical rehearsals, club meetings, study sessions and other things later into the night,” Stieren said. “Students who are working or participating in activities return home later, eat dinner later, and start homework later.”

Paly junior Moksh Jain agrees that school times being pushed earlier will boost productivity later in the day.

“I wouldn’t mind it [earlier start times],” Jain said. “I think it’s a bit annoying because I would have to wake up earlier, but it would be better for sports and just getting out earlier [from school].”