School Board Conflicted on How to Best Observe Juneteenth Holiday
School board members voted twice on the best way to observe the Juneteenth holiday for the 2024/2025 school year during the February 2024 board meeting. Both times the vote was tied.
Chairman Bobby Henderson presented the District Office Calendar for 2024/2025 to the board for approval, but the board members were split over the best way to observe Juneteenth. The holiday’s observance will only affect those working in the district office and students and teachers attending summer school, which is required to be held for 20 days and ideally needs to end before the new fiscal year begins on Monday, July 1, 2024.
Jennifer Aylor made a motion to observe Juneteenth as a “floating holiday” meaning the district office would remain open and summer school would remain in session, but teachers and administrators could take any one day of their choosing off during the week of Juneteenth. The motion was seconded by Gene Ross. Those voting in favor of the “floating holiday” were board members Aylor, Carter, Henderson, and Ross. Those voting against were Adkins, Crisp, King, and Polk. Beverly Bodiford was absent. The motion failed due to a tie vote.
Jerry Crisp then made a motion that Juneteenth be observed as a regular holiday, where the district office and summer school would be closed. The motion was seconded by Polk. Those voting in favor were Adkins, Crisp, King, and Polk. Those voting against were Aylor, Carter, Henderson, and Ross. The motion failed due to a tie vote.
The differences seemed to come from the best way to fit the required number of summer school days in before the fiscal year ends on July 1, 2024.
The District Office Calendar will be taken up again for consideration at the March board meeting. Community members who wish to share their preferences with school board members, may find their contact information here.
You may watch the full school board meeting here. Subscribe to the Hatchie Press YouTube channel to stay up-to-date on all local meetings and events.
Board members approved the 2024/2025 school calendar at their January board meeting. {click here to read more about the 2024/2025 school calendar}
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