New Texas law means more days off from school are possible
DALLAS (AP) — A new Texas state law that counts the school year by minutes instead of days means local school districts could add extra days off for both students and staff.
The Dallas Morning News reports the state law requires students to be at school for 75,600 minutes instead of 180 days.
Some North Texas school districts already are taking advantage of the new law, extending the school day by several minutes to allow them more flexibility with their calendars and days off.
One of them — the Arlington school district — this month is adding nine minutes to the school day for elementary and junior high students.
District spokeswoman Leslie Johnston says it means no weather makeup days will be needed because the time already is built into the minutes.