It's true that it was fast, maybe too fast, although the district was planning this conversation for more than 10-20 years. But even if it has not been implemented, the debate itself may have been worth the trouble. The complex problem of start time choice is an incredibly deep and interesting question, and so is the interface between algorithms and public policy.

FTFA:

> District officials [...] released the new school schedule on a Thursday night in December, with plans to implement in the fall of 2018.

That's more than six months. That's not really 'no lead time'.

It's also the first line in the article. Like, it's right there, at the top.

Sure, but 6 months is nothing. I'm talking about years. If parents knew that in 5 years the times would change, they could adjust their work schedules over that timeperiod. Especially if everyone in the whole district knew, even the childless.

There is still a single point where you have to go from, say, starting work at 9am vs starting work at 7am. And a lot of jobs do not provide this flexibility at all.