SAN ANTONIO — Northeast ISD is adding more early release days to their schedule next school year in an effort to give teachers more planning time.

“It was a surprise to me,” NEISD parent Kerri Morgan said. “I didn’t know they were considering changing the early dismissal.”

Morgan has two students in San Antonio’s Northeast ISD. Currently, her middle schooler is released 30 minutes early once a week.

“Really glad they are looking at that,” Morgan said. “Taking feedback from parents, teachers and students. Because that is really confusing for parents to remember the early dismissal.”

The district is adding 8 more early release days to next year’s calendar so teachers can have additional planning time.

“Two hours once a month might provide that extra time,” Morgan said. “I’m not sure that will truly give then the time they need.”

Starting in the fall, NEISD elementary and middle school students will get out early the last Tuesday of every month.

“Knowing that those are at the end of every month, so it’s something that would be easy for parents to remember,” said Jennifer Gutierrez, NEISD’s Executive Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction. “Rather than what we have now where they are scattered without.”

Gutierrez says this is what teachers said they needed.

“To ensure that teachers have time to analyze student learning,” Gutierrez said. “That they are able to meet with professional learning communities to provide plans for students.”

Morgan fears the new calendar may be an issue for parents who work full time.

“I also see it being an issue for parents with students at multiple campuses,” Morgan said.

The high schools will continue the weekly one hour early release next year. The district says after school programs will be adjusted for early dismissal.

“Our bus routes will be at the school site to ensure our students get home at the appropriate time,” Gutierrez said.