District 99 to Consider Using Holidays for Student, Teacher Days if Needed

The will hold a public hearing Monday to hear testimony about using five traditional school holidays for school attendance, teacher institute days, parent/teacher conference days or staff development activities. 

The holidays in question are Martin Luther King's Birthday, Abraham Lincoln's Birthday, Casimir Pulaski Day, Columbus Day and Veterans Day.

The district does not anticipate to use these holidays for school attendance but "wants the flexibility to do so in case of an emergency," according to a district release. Using these days for school attendance would be a "very rare exception."

The board will vote on the recommendation following the hearing. 

The agenda item for the public hearing reads as follows:

“The Board will conduct a public hearing to receive comments and input on the school district's proposal to use the five school holidays (Martin Luther King's Birthday, Abraham Lincoln's Birthday, Casimir Pulaski Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day) as student attendance days, teacher institute days, parent/teacher conference days, and/or staff development activities only in the event those days are needed to meet the required 180 total attendance days.  Generally, it is the intent of the school district to observe these holidays in the school calendar.”

The hearing will take place at 8 p.m. at .