By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — School officials have begun a discussion about the possibility of eliminating three religious holidays from the academic calendar.
Superintendent Kristen Vogel recalled during the School Committee’s recent meeting in Boston that there is no school on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Good Friday. She said the school board asked her during last summer’s retreat to administer a survey to families and staff members about whether the three religious holidays should be eliminated.
Lynnfield schools will be closed for the three religious holidays during the 2023-2024 academic year. Vogel said a survey was sent to both families and staff in January about eliminating the three religious holidays from the calendar. While schools are closed all three days, she said athletic teams still hold practices and play games.
If the three religious holidays are scrapped from the calendar, Vogel said “there would be no major tests, projects or new content presented on these days” in order to respect “the need for some students and faculty to observe the days as religious holidays.”
“This change would also result in the school year concluding a few days earlier in June,” said Vogel. “We will continue to have no school on federal and state holidays.”
Vogel said 315 people responded to the parents and guardians survey. She said 62 percent of parents and guardians reported they supported schools being open on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Good Friday while 27 percent were opposed.
The superintendent said 163 employees responded to the staff survey. According to the staff survey’s results, 57 stated they would not observe the three holidays for religious purposes if school were scheduled. The results revealed 29.4 percent of staff members would observe the religious holidays, and 12.9 percent answered “maybe.”
Vogel said schools in Gloucester, Hamilton-Wenham, Ipswich, Manchester-Essex, Masconomet, Melrose, Pentucket, Reading and Rockport are open on the Jewish holidays. She said Marblehead and Swampscott schools are closed on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. She said Rockport and Swampscott schools are closed on Good Friday. She said Marblehead, North Reading and the Tri-Town School Union (Boxford, Middleton and Topsfield) have early release days on Good Friday.
While School Committee member Kate DePrizio said eliminating the three religious holidays would be “equitable” because the district cannot observe every religious holiday, she anticipates people will most likely criticize the proposal.
“These have traditionally been holidays in Lynnfield,” said DePrizio. “I think we will get some pushback for sure.”
Vogel said the Equity Report completed by The Equity Process in the fall of 2021 recommended that school officials administer surveys to families and staff members about whether the three religious holidays should be eliminated from the academic calendar.
“I think starting the conversation is important,” said Vogel.
In response to a question from School Committeeman Phil McQueen, Vogel said the state does not have any rules about observing religious holidays.
“Christmas is actually a federal holiday similar to Veterans Day,” said Vogel.
School Committee member Jamie Hayman said eliminating the three religious holidays was a “struggle” for him.
“On one hand, we don’t have school but teachers are assigning work, teams are playing and teams are practicing,” said Hayman. “But if 39 percent of our kids are going to be out and 40 percent of our teachers are going to be out, the other side is do we want substitutes or is it a lost day? I think it’s something we need to continue to talk about. We really need to open up a dialogue.”
DePrizio agreed.
“I think having sports practicing and teams playing on those days is confusing to students when we are saying these are days to observe,” said DePrizio. “I think that sends a mixed signal.”
School Committee Vice Chair Stacy Dahlstedt was also torn about eliminating the three religious holidays from the academic calendar.
“I certainly understand a lot of districts are heading in the direction of only observing federal and state holidays,” said Dahlstedt. “That absolutely makes sense from an equity standpoint. But we also need to see if it will work for both the students’ and teachers’ side. We should continue the discussion with teachers, staff, our families and other districts.”
During a subsequent school board meeting held in town, Atherton Circle resident Mark Mathers inquired if the committee will be gathering feedback from townspeople and staff members about the possibility of eliminating the three religious holidays.
School Committee Chair Rich Sjoberg said yes.
“There is no change for next year,” said Sjoberg.