Policy 601.2: School Day
The student school day for grades one through twelve will consist of a minimum of six 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 students’ 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 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. If the total hours of instructional time for the first four consecutive days equal at least thirty hours because parent-teacher conferences have been scheduled beyond the regular school day, the school district may record zero hours of instructional time on the fifth consecutive school day as a school day. 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, the part of the day during which school was in session will constitute a school day. The [superintendent/building principal] 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).
I.C. Iowa Code References Description
Iowa Code § 256.7 DE - Duties of State Board -
Iowa Code § 279.10 Directors- Powers and Duties - School Year Begin Date
Iowa Code § 279.8 Directors - General Rules - Bonds of Employees
I.A.C. Iowa Administrative
281 I.A.C. 12.1 General Standards
C.F.R. - Code of Federal Regulations References Description
28 C.F.R. 35 Judicial - Disability - Nondiscrimination -
Approved: April 17, 1989
Reviewed: July 15, 1991; June 16, 1997; July 7, 2003; January 17, 2011; July 9, 2012; August 18, 2014; January 19, 2015; March 9, 2015; October 21, 2019
Revised: February 21, 2023