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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 8. Education
Agency 20. State Board of Education
Chapter 490. Regulations Governing School Boards Local
12/31/2024

8VAC20-490-30. Length of the school day.

The time for opening and closing schools shall be prescribed by the local school board upon recommendation of the division superintendent, provided that the daily program for students in grades 1 through 12 shall average at least 5 ½ hours, not including meal intermissions. If the required program length is maintained, the local school board may approve occasional shortened days for staff development, conferences, planning, and other activities designed to improve the instructional program, provided that no more than one day in each five-day week may be shortened to no less than four hours. The daily program for kindergarten shall be at least three hours, not including meal intermissions. The student day here described shall be considered a minimum day rather than an optimum day; a longer student day is encouraged to accommodate the instructional program and student needs.

When exceptions in the length of the daily program are necessary for special education, alternative education, double shifts, and scheduling or other unusual situations, the local board shall request approval by the Superintendent of Public Instruction of the exceptions by August 1 preceding the school year for which they are applicable. The affected programs must be in compliance with such other regulations as may apply to them.

The length of the work day for employees shall be determined by the local school board. It shall be of sufficient length to allow for the daily program for students and additional time as may be necessary for such activities as planning, preparation, meetings, workshops, conferences, meal intermissions, or other contractual obligations.

Statutory Authority

§§ 22.1-16, 22.1-17, 22.1-81, 22.1-253.13:1 through 22.1-253.13:8, 22.1-299, and 22.1-302 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR270-01-0047 § 3, eff. September 1, 1980.

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