Concerned teachers and parents have raised fears over the implications of changing secondary school timetables.
At West Dunbartonshire Council's Education Services Committee, a report was presented to members asking them to approve a consultation to go out to pupils, parents, teachers and other associated groups to consider the adjustments.
Following this, a report will be presented in November with the findings.
The proposed changes are to remove the registration class from the beginning of the school day and start school 10 minutes later, at 9am.
That 50 minutes would then become an extra learning period at the end of each Wednesday.
However, parental and teaching representatives on the committee have already raised questions on whether this would have a positive or negative impact.
Gavin Corrigan, from the EIS Union and a teacher in West Dunbartonshire, says he was immediately contacted by staff after the news of the proposals broke.
Speaking to the committee, he said: "As you can imagine, as a teacher, when the story broke in the papers, my phone started going mental with lots of opinions.
"The overwhelming one was that there is one option and that’s to get rid of morning tutor time, where pupils come in and have a regular contact with a teacher who can keep an eye on them, give pastoral care, and it is a set period where attendance can be taken.
"It says [in the report] there are no people implications. Starting later and finishing later is going to have an impact on staff, including their ability to have childcare, so there are implications.
“The main concern is that this came out in the press before staff were informed.
"Things are most productive when we feel involved and respected, and that's not where we feel like we are."
The consultation launches on September 18 and can be found HERE.
Concerns were then raised by Joanne McLaren, who represents parents at Dumbarton Academy, who said pupils with additional support needs could struggle with the change to routine.
She said: "If we do go ahead with the new timetable, will there be any kind of transition period for additional support pupils, as they will find it quite hard.
"Doing this when they are in a particular routine can be difficult.
“Has any consideration been given to that?”
Further concerns were raised by Councillor Lauren Oxley, who worries that a lack of registration classes could affect a school's ability to safeguard its pupils.
In response, Andrew Brown, senior education officer, emphasised why the need for a proper consultation was vital to discussing these plans.
He said: "This is the benefit of consultation, that we are seeking views, that’s the purpose of undertaking the exercise.
"I concur that the people most affected by the proposal ought to have the best possible representation in that consultation.
"I look forward to the views being expressed by young people and staff, equally, all the other stakeholders who have a view for us and that we consider all those views.
"Those supports [for those with ASN] would continue in a way that is right for the child and through the forum of a child’s plan.
"Safeguarding is, of course, our primary concern and is a primary concern of all staff, so that would not change in terms of identifying issues or ensuring that the right people are aware of any issue that arises.”
The consulation will run till October 31.
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