601.2 - School Day

School day

Code No. 601.2

The student school day for grades one through twelve will consist of a minimum of six (6) hours, not including the lunch period. The school day consists of the schedule of class instruction and class activities as established and sponsored by the school district. Time during which students are released from school for parent/teacher conferences may be counted as part of the student’s instructional time. The minimum school day will meet the requirements as established for the operation of accredited schools. 

The board may define the number of days kindergarten will be held and the length of each school day for the students attending kindergarten. The school day will consist of a schedule as recommended by the superintendent and approved by the board.

The school district may also record a day of school with less than the minimum instructional hours if the total hours of instructional time for grades one through twelve in any five consecutive school days equals a minimum of thirty (30) hours, even though any one day of school is less than the minimum instructional hours because of a staff development opportunity provided for the instructional staff or parent-teacher conferences have been scheduled beyond the regular school day. Parent-teacher conference time is included in the total of instructional hours for the day, week, and calendar total hours or days. Schedule revisions and changes in time allotments will be made by the superintendent.

When the school is forced to close due to weather or other emergencies that part of the day during which school was in session will constitute a school day if the calendar is based on 180 instructional days. If the calendar is based on hours, the hours during which school was in session prior to the closure will count toward the 1,080 total hours in the school calendar. The superintendent will create administrative regulations necessary to utilize any remote learning opportunities that are available and permitted by law during the period of closure. The provision of special education and accommodations for students who have individualized education programs (IEPs) or Section 504 plans during periods of closure will be determined by each respective IEP or Section 504 team.  

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to inform the board annually of the length of the school day.

Legal Reference:          34 C.F.R. sec. 300

                                    28 C.F.R. pt. 35

                                    Iowa Code § 256.7 (3) (21) (32), 279.8, .10.

                                    281 I.A.C. 12.1(1), .1(7-10).                           

Approved 03/17/1989

Reviewed 11/21/2022

Revised 11/21/2022