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Florida schools can cut back year by 2 days due to Hurricane Irma

Posted at 8:35 AM, Sep 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-21 11:57:56-04

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP/WPTV) -- Florida schools forced to close due to Hurricane Irma can trim their academic calendar by two days.

RELATED:More hurricane stories| Download WPTV app | Free breakfast, lunch through Oct. 20

Education Commissioner Pam Stewart on Tuesday sent a memo to school superintendents regarding school time lost due to the deadly storm. Some schools across the state were closed for more than a week due to the hurricane.

 

Florida law requires schools to operate 180 days a year, or up to 720 hours for kindergarten through third grade and 900 hours for all other grades.

In her memo, Stewart said she would authorize waiving up to two days due to the storm.

But districts that want more time waived will have to ask for permission from the state by Oct. 16.

Palm Beach County schools said they have not decided if they will waive the two days. No school vacation time will be changed for the year in Palm Beach County. 

In St. Lucie County, a half day that was scheduled for Sept. 27 will now be a regular day.  On Oct. 27, a scheduled student holiday day will now be a regular day.

Indian River County school leaders said they will meet Thursday to discuss possible school calendar changes.

Martin and Okeechobee county schools have not made a decision on any changes.