Do you like Novi Schools' late-start days?

started a new way for its teachers to get together for professional development this school year: having five days when school starts a couple hours later.

While Novi Assistant Superintendent for Academic Services RJ Webber and teachers find the time valuable for , some parents find the set-up problematic.

Elisa Munro Endress told Novi Patch on Facebook that she is not a fan of the late-start days and doesn’t know any parents who like them.

“…the entire morning is chaos,” she wrote. “Right now I'm not working, but will be next year and honestly don't know what I will do then. PAY for Care, take 5 vacation days? That doesn't make sense?? I have talked to my girls teachers and apparently the training they are getting is great, BUT...on the students time & on the parents money? I don't agree.”

On late-start days, the district offers its everyday before-school child care for students in kindergarten through eighth grade for a daily fee of $15.75. Parents can drop off their children starting at 6:45 a.m. to be watched until school starts.

Novi Community Schools' Start Times

Jeryl Thibaudeau, a parent, said she is probably one of the few parents who do like the late-start days.

“It gives us a chance to sleep in and catch up and have a relaxing morning together,” she said.

Novi Woods parent Linda Wilk also said she doesn’t mind the late starts, but she has many friends who work who don’t like it. 

Webber said he has heard some parents express concerns and that they are fair concerns.

"If we can prove that it’s having a real benefit for their kids, I hope people will understand that and we certainly understand that our goal is not to inconvenience anybody," Webber said. "What we want to do is to do great work for the kids in this community, and we really believe that by working together we can do a much better job of that.”