Spending a year and a half on a proposal for a policy change in how class schedules affect upperclassmen may prove worthwhile for members of the Bedford High School’s Community Senate.

The students were praised by School Board members for what one described as a “well thoughtout” presentation.

“Are you sure you’re high school students?” asked board member Bob Donahue. “That’s better than a lot of people I work with who have a college degree.”

At the School Board’s Jan, 26, meeting, three students came armed with a PowerPoint presentation and answers to tough questions as board members heard the proposal that would allow upperclassmen who do not have a class at the start or the end of the day to arrive late or leave early.

The official school day runs from 7:40 a.m. to 3 p.m., but under the new rules, some students could come at 9 a.m. and leave at 1:35 p.m.

The students also submitted a list of 15 rules that addressed some potential difficulties and pitfalls. Parents, of course, would have to sign off on the privilege and administrators would have authority to revoke it. Students with disciplinary actions on their records, who were failing more than one class or were consistently tardy would not be eligible.

James Chappler, a junior, said the idea is an extension of the “managed time” students are expected to use responsibly when not in class, and this gives students more responsibility to manage their time.

Grace Oullette, also a junior, said her peers could use the extra time to work at a job in the afternoons or focus on their studies.

Most high schools have some policy on late arrival and early dismissals with strings attached, according to Superintendent Tim Mayes. He said the idea was not considered by high school planners since the first students were underclassmen.

In Bedford, the current students offer a twist on tradition. They recommend that the policy be phased in, starting with only late arrivals at first, and also suggest requiring each class apply for the privilege in the spring of their sophomore year and again the same time in their junior year.

“For classes that are known not to be particularly so good, they need to submit reasons as to why they deserve (it) and how they are going to use this time effectively,” said Connor McKay, a junior.

Principal George Edwards told the board that he supports the new policy. He said it would meld better with teenage sleeping patterns and the packed schedule of after-school activities high school students often keep in the evenings.

“Some of them, for a variety of reasons, they could really use that extra time,” Edwards told the board.

Chairman David Sacks had concerns that students who do not have cars would be excluded and wondered if students would have a late arrival and early dismissal on the same day.

Sacks said he was “not comfortable” with the concept but was open to it because of the rules students proposed.

“This was a very good presentation and you had me with the timeline,” Sacks said. “You did a nice job and know your audience.”

The School Board will vote on the policy at its Monday, Feb. 9, meeting.