Schools
Natick Public Schools Keeps Days Off for Rosh Hashannah and Good Friday
Some members changed their stance after comments from the public.
Dozens of residents packed the Natick Public Schools Committee meeting room Monday night for two hours, giving feedback why and why not the school district should adopt a new calendar that would change days off for Rosh Hashannah and Good Friday.
In the end, with some residents standing outside due to a lack of room, the Committee decided by a 6-1 vote keeping the calendar the same would be most beneficial for the education of Natick students.
The Committee discussed a controversial proposal to change the 2014-2015 calendar which would take away one day off for the Jewish holiday and shorten the Christian holiday to a half day. Superintendent Peter Sanchioni earlier this month asked residents to take an online survey so the Committee could receive feedback. Results of that survey were not released.
Committee members said having this discussion and having to make this vote was one of the more uncomfortable things they have had to do on the committee."This is my second go around with this issue," said Committee member David Margil, who voted to make no change to the calendar. "The input has been broad and from all corners of our town. There's been lots of input on both sides of the question. A fair number would like school on those days. I have a lot of respect for both religious holidays. (The civil debate has) made me feel really good about the town. But it's one of more difficult decisions I’ve had to make."
The options presented to the Committee were:
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- Option A: Same as current 2013-14 school year
- Option B: 1 day off Rosh Hashanah, release day Good Friday, keep February and April vacations
- Option C: 2 days off for Rosh Hashanah, 1 day off for Good Friday, omit February and April vacations; add March vacation
- Option D: 1 day off Rosh Hashanah, release day Good Friday, omit February and April vacations; add March vacation.
"We’re here tonight to talk about God," Mary Brown said. "We’re all made the same, we come in the same and go out the same, no matter race or religion. We must observe these holidays. Leave the calendar the way it is."
Some residents said they viewed the possible change as a way to find more class time for students to help them prepare for tests.
Others said schools should be wary of overextending the school year as students tend to lose focus after Memorial Day.
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And others argued taking away religious holidays would send a negative message about tolerating different religions.
Member Tom Campbell cast the lone "No" vote, supporting just one day off for Rosh Hashannah and a half day on Good Friday.
All committee members voiced their desire prior to the public's chance to speak, and some changed their opinions after the discussion.
After the vote, Committee members agreed to create a task force to examine the entire school calendar before the 2015-2016 school schedule needs to be decided. The same religious holidays will not come into question.
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