Stamford Residents Rally Against Board Of Education Removal Of Columbus, Veterans Day

STAMFORD, CT — Residents packed the regularly-scheduled Stamford Board of Education meeting earlier this week and rallied against the board's decision to remove Columbus Day and Veterans day from the school calendar.

Residents held signs in the audience that read "Columbus Day Is An American Holiday," and "Keep Schools Closed On 11-11," in opposition of last month's decision.

During the public comment period, several speakers urged the board to reconsider the decision, but no action was taken.

The school board voted on Jan. 23, 5-3, with Board President Jackie Heftman absent, to remove the holidays from the school calendars for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years.

Those in favor were Joshua Esses, Michael Hyman, Gabriela Koc, Versha Munshi-South and Antonia Better-Wirz. Andy George, Becky Hamman and Michael Larobina voted against it.

According to state statute, individual school districts have local control over closing for holidays that fall on a school day outside of December and January.

However, if classes are held, the board of education requires that each school hold "a suitable nonsectarian educational program in observance of each holiday."

State statute also mandates 180 days of school. During the Jan. 23 meeting, Esses argued that the school year was too long, and making it shorter by eliminating holidays and having classes would be "better educationally for our students."

In a previous January meeting, Munshi-South said there should be few disruptions for students in the beginning of the school year, which is a crucial time.

Munshi-South also said she observed a social studies class at Dolan Middle School this school year and said the title of a lesson was, "Columbus, Hero or Villain?" She added that she didn't feel that it made sense to teach students one thing in class, and then have Columbus Day off as a holiday.

It's unclear if the school board will revisit its decision to remove the holidays from the calendar following the public outcry.

Patch has reached out to the Stamford Board of Education for comment.