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Thursday, November 13, 2008
Choosing between school and religious observance
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This is the time of year when many school boards review and approve school calendars for the next two school years.
Most people focus on start and end dates and when winter and spring breaks will happen. Lately, I’m hearing from more teachers and parents who hope school vacations coincide with their religious holidays.
Schools are pretty good about accommodating students who won’t be in class because of a religious holiday or observance. I’ve heard of teachers who will reschedule tests, change due dates for projects or develop make-up assignments for students.
But who helps the teachers and other employees in this situation?
When I was flying back from New York Monday I met a teacher who said she must use her three personal days for religious holidays. She can’t use sick days because she isn’t sick. She can’t agree to work another day because the school calendar doesn’t allow for it.
In many other fields, bosses can switch schedules or let employees work an extra weekend or a different holiday shift if they need time off for their own religious observances.
Can the same be done for teachers and other school employees?
