The Virginia Beach School Board voted in favor of keeping the additional 10 minutes on the school day for the remainder of the academic year that began on April 13, 2026. The decision came after discussions about instructional time, transportation, and the overall impact on students and staff.
“I was very frustrated because I don’t like being in school in the first place, so why would I wanna be there longer?” said sophomore Lily Annis.
School officials stated the extended day helps the district meet state instructional requirements while also providing schools with more flexibility in daily schedules. According to board members and administrators, the extra time can be used for classroom instruction, announcements, student support, or transition periods between classes.
The adjustment has received mixed reactions from Salem students and faculty. Some students believe 10 minutes does not make a major difference in their day, while others argue it affects after-school activities, jobs, sports, and transportation schedules.
“I have to hurry to get to the locker room after school and the extra 10 minutes made practices shorter,” said Annis.
Teachers also have differing opinions about the schedule change. Some shared that the extra minutes allow more time to complete extra homework, lessons, and answer questions, while others questioned whether a small increase would significantly impact learning outcomes. “In the extra 10 minutes, most kids could actually probably finish their homework, usually it’s only about 10-15 minutes of work that they didn’t finish in class,” said English Teacher Robin Lusk-Stancil.
During the meeting, School Board members discussed balancing academic needs with student and family concerns. Board Member Melinda Rogers proposed an asynchronous, virtual makeup day, an idea that received mixed reviews but ultimately failed.
“I would definitely prefer the asynchronous because that is so much easier. It’s also just one day instead of ten whole minutes to every school day,” said junior Mililani Palomino.
Stancil offers a contrasting opinion.
“I would not have preferred an asynchronous day because students don’t do their work which causes me to bug them for days afterwards to complete the missing assignments. If I give an intricate assignment on an asynchronous day, then no one will understand it. It’s an easier alternative but when you look deeper, it doesn’t work,” said Stancil.
The decision reflects ongoing efforts by school districts across the country to reevaluate instructional schedules, respond to state education requirements, and address concerns from students and staff.
