Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Calendar topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Staff and faculty urge committee to remove required professional development on Yom Kippur and Eid
Summary
Several Algonquin faculty and support staff told the committee that the approved 2026–27 calendar schedules professional development on major religious holidays, forcing staff who observe those days to choose between religious observance and required district PD. The superintendent noted the calendar had already been approved by two of three committees.
At the Northborough–Southborough Regional School Committee meeting on Jan. 21, multiple staff members urged the committee to reconsider scheduling professional‑development days on Yom Kippur and Eid.
Kim Honey, Algonquin librarian, said the calendar ‘‘upsets me’’ because professional development days cannot be made up and staff who observe Yom Kippur would be asked to choose ‘‘between religious observation or professional development.’’ She told the committee she would ‘‘be choosing my family’’ over attending required PD.
Amelia Braun, a 21‑year Algonquin faculty member who is also part of the Jewish community, told the committee the current calendar creates an ‘‘inconsistency’’: students are excused for major religious holidays while staff are required to attend PD on those same days. ‘‘This effectively asks staff who observe these holidays to choose between religious observance and professional responsibilities,’’ she said, and warned of potential equity and professional‑development consequences for teachers.
Megan Johnson, an educational support professional, echoed those concerns and asked the committee to consider alternatives that do not force staff to choose between faith and employment responsibilities.
Superintendent Greg Martineau clarified that the calendar had already been voted by the regional committee (two of three constituent committees had approved it) and that the committee could choose to revote. He said draft calendar alternatives had been shared with the teachers’ association but were not advanced by the association for consideration.
The committee did not immediately revote on the calendar. Members and the administration encouraged written comments and follow‑up emails from staff and community members and said more discussions could follow, including conversations with the teachers’ association and constituent town committees.
