Hillsborough County, which includes Tampa, Fla., has its hands full regarding its school calendars after 70 percent of its students were absent on Good Friday.
Overall, more than 77,000 students were out. In addition, the district hired 915 substitute teachers and had 186 bus drivers out that day.
In 2004, Muslim groups asked the county school board to consider giving students the day off for two of their most important holy days, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The school district's calendar already included days off for Christian and Jewish holidays.
Board members directed a committee of school leaders, teachers, parents and others to study the idea. Its recommendation: Eliminate all school holidays built around religious celebrations.
Six years later, the school board still debates whether to keep schools open on Good Friday. Hillsborough students have 32 scheduled days off, along with 15 early release days. None of those are religious holidays, although Christmas falls during the scheduled winter break.
Hillsborough was among 43 school districts that held classes on Good Friday this year, according to the Florida Department of Education. Classes also were scheduled on Yom Kippur and the Eid al-Fitr.
The calendar committee will meet April 21 to re-address its secular calendar. The school board will make any final decision.
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