JMC school board rejects recognizing Veterans Day as school holiday
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JACKSON, Tenn.–The Jackson-Madison County School Board voted on two holiday changes for students, Thursday. The first proposal, to give students and teachers the day off for Veterans Day. Board member David Clifft proposed the motion which would recognize the national holiday on the district’s school calendar. Clifft says since it is a national holiday, it makes since to give kids and teachers the day off to honor Veterans. “We’ve always had veterans as long as I’ve been in the world, but we seem to have more now that we’ve had more recent wars and we all appreciate them,” he said. Superintendent Dr. Verna Ruffin said if the holiday passed, it would not impact school budget, but the day would have to be made up at some point during the year. Board Member Dave Bratcher said he was concerned the holiday could interrupt learning since November 11 is not always a Monday or Friday. Bratcher noted this as a big difference between Martin Luther King Day being observed as part of a three-day holiday. Several members cited the impact no school would have on Veterans Day programs. “I think it’s very important that we recognize our veterans but if it’s also encouraging our kids to be involved and letting them understand and hear speakers and those kinds of things. I’d hate to see them out of school,” board member Jeffrey Head said. George Neely proposed if the holiday change was adopted children could still hold their programs on a different day than the holiday. In a 4-5 vote, the board decided to keep the school calendar as-is. Although, it is possible the holiday could be up for discussion in the future. Dr. Ruffin suggested asking teachers and parents for their consideration on the veterans holiday. One decision the board did agree on, changing the name of “winter break.” The board approved it now be referred to as “Christmas and New Years Break.”
