MANCHESTER – With seven public schools in the city being used as polling stations for yesterday's elections, schools were closed throughout Manchester and students were given the day off.

As it turns out, according to state department of education Web site, students in 10 other school districts around the state also had the day off for various reasons.

Auburn, Bedford, Candia, Chichester, Hooksett, Rochester and Windham listed teacher workshops as the reason for not having school, while Hampstead and Timberlane Regional schools were not in session because of staff development days. According to state guidelines, school districts set their own calendar as long as they provide 180 full days of instruction and do not hold classes on Veterans Day and Memorial Day.