Texas Schools Can Waive Snow Day Requirement

Districts that closed due to icy roads can avoid making up the missed day with school board approval.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 9:47pm

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The Texas Education Agency says school districts that were closed on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 due to winter weather can apply for a waiver to avoid having to make up that missed day, as long as their school boards vote to request the exception. The first two missed days must still be covered by the districts' built-in bad weather days.

Why it matters

This policy provides flexibility for school districts that have to close due to inclement weather, allowing them to avoid extending the school year or school days to meet the state's required 75,600 minutes of annual instruction.

The details

TEA Commissioner Mike Morath confirmed that school districts that remained closed on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 are eligible for a waiver for that third missed day. To avoid making up the time, school boards must vote to request the exception from the state. However, the first two missed days on Monday and Tuesday must still be covered by the districts' built-in bad weather days.

  • Schools were closed on Monday, January 26, 2026 due to icy roads.
  • Schools were closed on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 due to icy roads.
  • Schools were closed on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 due to icy roads.

The players

Mike Morath

The Texas Education Agency Commissioner who confirmed the policy allowing districts to apply for a waiver to avoid making up the third snow day.

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What’s next

School boards must vote to request the waiver from the state in order to avoid making up the third snow day.

The takeaway

This policy provides much-needed flexibility for school districts in Texas that have to close due to severe winter weather, helping them meet state instructional requirements without having to extend the school year or school days.