Many North Texas school districts are finalizing their plans for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help students experience a total solar eclipse here. While some rural school districts under the path of totality decided to close their doors, the majority of larger school districts say they will stay open.Denton and Wylie ISDs say they plan to be open for now, but they are also ready to pivot if emergency management officials make that recommendation.
At this time, eight districts said parents may be allowed to sign in as visitors or volunteers at some campuses. Five said parents would not be allowed at all. As for families who want to take their child to a viewing event to watch the eclipse, five districts said the absence could be excused with a letter, seven said it would not be excused and four districts provided an unclear response, perhaps still weighing the options. Evan Whitfield is the director of science at Coppell ISD.