DeKalb Board to Consider 30-Minute Recess

After public outcry and a grassroots “30 For Recess” petition objecting to a proposed cut to 15 minutes, DeKalb County parents pressed district leaders to restore longer elementary recess. The DeKalb County School Board is scheduled to consider a proposal at an upcoming meeting to standardize a 30-minute daily recess, with interim community engagement chief Jennifer Caracciolo presenting an update. Superintendent Dr. Devon Horton said the district plans to implement 30-minute recess beginning in January when the second half of the 2025–26 school year starts, though individual schools may adopt the change sooner. Board members will be asked to approve schedule adjustments, and at least two members want the 30-minute requirement written into policy to guard against future reductions. District officials noted the current policy (since 2009) sets a minimum of 15 minutes and that the state encourages, but does not mandate, 30 minutes of unstructured physical activity.