DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The school board could vote today (Tuesday) to change school starting times at Des Moines public schools. The board is expected to discuss the proposal and could either vote Tuesday or April 18.

Under the proposal, elementary schools would begin at 7:50 a.m., roughly 30 minutes to an hour earlier. Middle schools would start at 8:35 a.m., 50 minutes later, and high schools would start at 8:30 a.m., also 50 minutes later. The proposal would take effect either for the 2017-18 or 2018-19 school years.

Officials say research shows the later starting times would better align with teenagers’ natural sleep schedules. The Des Moines Register reports Ankeny and West Des Moines schools already have later middle and high school start times. Davenport and Iowa City made the change recently.