School committee holds first reading to adopt rotating religious and cultural holiday cycle

The Milton School Committee conducted a first reading Tuesday of proposed revisions to Policy IC to formalize an MPS religious and cultural holiday cycle that will recognize up to two days per year on a rotating schedule.

The draft policy adds language that the district will schedule two recognized religious and cultural holidays each year on a rotation, with the goal of minimizing instructional disruption and achieving an even distribution of recognition over time. Committee members discussed whether the policy should use the term “recognize” rather than “celebrate,” and asked administration to draft accompanying procedures explaining how the two‑day rotation will be determined each year.

Committee members emphasized flexibility in the policy text so superintendents and staff can account for calendar variability (for example, when holidays fall on weekends) and asked that the superintendent’s office and bargaining units be part of planning the operational details. The committee agreed the policy should state the goal of even distribution and minimizing instructional disruption, but that the detailed process for choosing specific days should be included in an administrative procedure and presented to the committee with the school calendar.

This item was a first reading; committee members asked the policy subcommittee and administration to refine language and an associated procedure before a second reading and vote at a future meeting.