Daylight saving time bill raises school safety concerns # Daylight saving time bill raises school safety concerns If passed, the Sunshine Protection Act would eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes and keep West Virginia on Eastern Daylight Time all year long.
wvva.com · Zaria Stovall · September 7, 2026
Daylight saving time bill raises school safety concerns
# Daylight saving time bill raises school safety concerns
If passed, the Sunshine Protection Act would eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes and keep West Virginia on Eastern Daylight Time all year long.
By Zaria Stovall
Published: Sep. 7, 2026 at 6:22 PM EDT| Updated: 30 minutes ago
PRINCETON, W.Va. (WVVA) - A bill that would end the twice-yearly clock changes has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and now awaits action in the Senate. Mercer County Public Schools Superintendent Edward Toman said he hopes lawmakers consult school leaders and families before making a decision.
## Bill would end clock changes
If passed, the Sunshine Protection Act would eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes and keep West Virginia on Eastern Daylight Time all year long.
“The biggest concern, you’d think that the lawmakers would get the superintendents and the public and the public schools involved in any decision making. I think it’s stagnant right now. I don’t think they made a decision, but that would be a huge concern,” Toman said.
## Safety concerns for schools
For some, additional evening sunlight could be a benefit. But for schools, it raises safety concerns.
“The darkness in security and safety, you know, athletics would benefit, but not much, by the daylight towards the end of the day. But again, our number one safety is the little ones. Getting on the buses, mom and dad, kids sitting there in the dark,” Toman said.
Under permanent daylight saving time, people would see longer evening daylight year-round but also darker morning hours. That could make early-morning trips for walkers and bus riders less safe, according to Toman.
## Superintendent calls for input from educators
Toman is asking lawmakers to hear from families and educators before they vote.
“There’s a lot of change with public education right now, but their involvement in talking to us, who are here every day, that would be great if they would get us more involved. We’ve got two days we’re going to call Mercer County Public School Days at the legislation. So we’re going to get a group and get down there and try to say, give our voice out there,” Toman said.
The Sunshine Protection Act can only take effect if Congress passes federal legislation allowing states to permanently observe daylight saving time.
- WVVA - 3052 Big Laurel Hwy - Bluefield, WV 24701 - (304) 325-5487
dvia@wvva.com 304-324-0629