Leander ISD students will be released two hours early on some Wednesdays through the rest of the school year to give teachers dedicated planning times.

The district held listening sessions with teachers to discuss difficulties in the school year, and a common theme was that experienced, master teachers felt like first-year teachers again, said Chief Academic Officer Matt Bentz to the LISD board of trustees Oct. 22.

This change will give teachers added time in the school day and time to plan for in-person and virtual students.

“If we help our teachers, it will help our students,” he said.

The early releases will begin Nov. 11 and includes 17 days through the rest of the school year, according to the district. The change was announced at the Oct. 22 school board meeting.

District officials said further district and campus communication will be given to families Oct. 23.

Early release days include:

• Nov. 11 and 18
• Dec. 2 and 9
• Jan. 13 and 27
• Feb. 3, 10 and 24
• March 3 and 10
• April 7, 21 and 28
• May 5, 12 and 19

The district has communicated with the YMCA and elementary schools have spoken with nearby daycare programs to provide a care resource. Students would receive lunch and busing routes would start earlier. The shorter school days are factored into existing teaching minutes.

Corey Ryan, the district’s chief communications officer, said the early release days are a worthy investment in a year where teachers are stretched so thin.