Who decides whether or not to keep Texas schools open during Monday’s total solar eclipse?

SAN ANTONIO — Many parents across the Hill Country and South Texas will be pulling their kids from school Monday to witness the total solar eclipse. 

When it comes to making Monday a regular school day or closing school altogether, however, the Texas Education Agency says that decision belongs solely with districts.

Many school districts in the Hill Country, which lies in the path of totality, decided to make April 8 a student and staff holiday. Those include Kerrville and Comfort ISDs. But most districts in the San Antonio metro area are operating normally on Monday. 

North East ISD officials responded that it will consider Monday like any other day. 

“Parents are always welcome to make their own decisions for what they think is best for their children, and this includes days that they are absent,” NEISD officials said. “Since NEISD is in session, absences on this day will be handled like any other.”

The district also pointed to the fact teachers are planning instruction around the afternoon eclipse.  

“There are a lot of learning events planned for that day. A lot of the students are going to be outside, teachers will be outside, and it will be virtually impossible to locate the student, find them and get them checked out,” said NISD spokesperson Aubrey Chancellor.

San Antonio ISD says it will operate as normal too, but with educational opportunities related to the celestial event. 

In a statement the district told us “an absence would be handled as any other day a student is not in attendance. Many of our schools are planning engaging activities around the eclipse, and we believe students may want to participate in these activities with their classmates.”

Northside ISD is doing the same, calling Monday a regular school day where absences “will be treated the same as any other.”

“We’ve sent messaging to our families, in fact, just yesterday, reminding them that it is a school day, that we do have engaging and interactive activities planned for our students,” said Barry Perez, NISD executive chief of communications. 

Check out our full list of schools closed for the Great American Eclipse.

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