The Mercer Island School District is asking community members for input regarding an elementary Spanish language program and a potential shift from early-release Wednesdays at the high school to late-start Wednesdays.

The district posted a survey on its website asking for feedback on the two issues, as well as feedback on the possibility of expanding the middle school day from six periods to seven. The survey is open to all parents, students, staff and community members.

At the regular School Board meeting Thursday night at City Hall, Superintendent Dr. Gary Plano said the district would need an additional 15 minutes to the elementary school day to implement a Spanish language program. In order to keep 5th grade band schedules in place, the extra time would be added to the end of the day, with elementary school releasing at either 3:45 p.m. or 3:50 p.m., depending on when the school day would start.

A start time hadn’t been given, Plano said, because it was connected to a potential later start time at the high school. Should the high school’s early-release Wednesdays push back start times, the day would begin at 8:55 a.m.

“The reason why I’m hedging on the 15 minutes being added at the end [of the elementary school day] for either 3:45 or 3:50 is to ensure that we have enough time that school begins at the high school, and [enough] time [for] elementary students walking to school, and that we don’t have any students racing through neighborhoods,” he said.

Plano said he was also looking for parent feedback on a possible expansion to the middle school program. If such an expansion were to take place, it would likely be two years away.

“If we’re going to launch an [elementary] Spanish language program, we need more instructional time at the middle school given that we have a six-period day and we’ll likely need a seven-period day,” he said.

Plano said the survey would be open beyond Thanksgiving. He expected to share survey results with the board at the Dec. 10 regular meeting. He added he was still monitoring possible school start time changes happening within the region. A decision on the feasibility of late-start Wednesdays could tentatively be made in early January.

To access the survey, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MISDSurvey.