ROCHESTER, Minn. - The Rochester Public School Board voted unanimously Tuesday to move student start times back next fall.

The board had previously agreed to do so in fall of 2022.

The change means middle and high school students will start class at 8:20 a.m., with elementary students beginning at 9:35 a.m.

Newly elected School Board Director Karen Macloughlin says the change will allow students to get much-needed rest, which has been a silver lining of distance learning.

"Starting at 8:25 rather than the earlier times has given our secondary students more time to sleep according to their biological clocks, rather than the bell time in their school buildings," Macloughlin said.

Macloughlin also says implementing new start times next fall avoid forcing students to re-adjust to an earlier start time next school year, before having to adjust again the following year.

Rochester Public Schools will now begin working to adjust its transportation plan for next year.