Denver Public Schools board members plan to change course this fall, getting rid of the late-start days that had angered many students' parents.

Instead of starting classes three hours later on five days throughout the school year so teachers can train, the district will release students three hours early.

"Yay!" cheered school board President Theresa Pena, when DPS staff presented the plan. "We certainly heard from a lot of parents that late start isn't working for them."

School board members will formally vote Thursday on new calendars for 2009-10 and 2010-11, which includes the new early-release days.

But it was clear from Tuesday's work session that most favor the change. Michelle Moss, the board's vice president, pushed to schedule all five early-release days on the same day - say, Mondays or Wednesdays rather than different weekdays throughout the year.

But DPS Chief of Staff Amy Friedman said some schools receive special services, such as a social worker or psychologist, on only one day during the week, such as Mondays. Scheduling all five early-release days on Mondays would mean students in those schools would lose services for five days rather than once or twice during the school year.

"If we can't do it, we can't do it," Moss said. "I just think we need to accommodate parents as much as we can."

Numerous parents angrily decried the late-start days this year, saying such a plan upsets carefully balanced work and child-care schedules. Others appeared before the board and said they planned to keep their children home on those days.

Attendance on Dec. 12, the first late-start day, varied by school, with nearly 70 absences at Green Valley Elementary in far northeast Denver and 150 absences at Lake Middle School on the city's west side. Districtwide, the attendance rate was 86 percent, down three percentage points - or about 2,000 students - from the prior week.

Denver teachers also must approve the scheduling change. Kim Ursetta, president of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association, said it would be presented to members for a vote.

An analysis prepared by DPS staff shows minimal impact from the switch. Buses would run earlier on the five days and parents could pay $15 per day to place students in child-care programs at their grade schools. DPS administrator Joe Sandoval said the district will work with after-school providers to host activities at other schools.

To see a copy of proposed school calendars for 2009-10 and 2010-11, go to dpsk12.org.