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Resident urges New Britain schools to recognize Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur as district holidays
Summary
A resident called on the board to add Jewish high-holy days to the district calendar, citing equity and examples from neighboring districts; the item was presented during public comment and drew acknowledgment but no immediate board action.
John Ward, speaking during public comment on April 7, asked the New Britain Board of Education to include Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur on the district calendar, arguing that the current schedule recognizes Christian and Muslim holidays but not major Jewish observances.
"This is not just a matter of convenience. It's a matter of equity, respect, and inclusivity," Ward said, noting that Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are central observances in the Jewish faith and that students and staff are forced to choose between religious obligations and school when the district does not close for those days.
Ward pointed to other Connecticut districts — Hartford, West Hartford and New Haven — that close for these holidays and urged New Britain to revise the calendar to align practice with stated inclusion goals. He said he understood some officials might consider student counts when deciding which holidays to recognize but argued that equity should not be based on numbers.
Board members did not vote or direct staff to draft a calendar change during the meeting; Ward's remarks were recorded as public comment. He also offered brief praise for board member Anthony Kane's work on a separate flag policy discussion earlier in the meeting.
The board did not take formal action on the calendar during the April 7 meeting.
