To the editor: Recently, it has come to my attention that school systems have tried to change the start time in the middle school from 7:45 am to around 8:30 am.

From a neurologist's stand point, it would be great, as the children's brains are still developing, and deprivation of sleep can lead to high blood pressure, chronic heart disease, fatigue, and even stroke, especially if it starts from a young age. Sleep deprivation can also lead to worse test scores and a hopeless addiction to coffee.

But one must also consider that most six-figure salary jobs make one have to wake up a 5 a.m. and get home at 7 p.m., along with an annoying drive to Boston.

So, whether or not school should start at a later time should truly be dependent on what side has the most benefits for both the students and the teachers. And unlike the controversy with the ALP in Primrose Hill School, the idea should be debated with the best interest of what is right, not the monetary gain of a politician or a single given citizen.

Joshua Guertler

Barrington