Parent asks school board to add Diwali to future school‑calendar discussions

During public comment, Sujit Gandhi, speaking as a Chesterfield parent, asked the board to consider formally recognizing Diwali as a student and teacher holiday in the 2027–28 calendar cycle. Gandhi said a petition supporting the change has gathered more than 500 supporters and that local organizations, including the Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce and the Cultural Center of India, had sent letters of support. He said the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities has offered to assist the division with calendar work and requested that the board add Diwali to early calendar committee discussions.

Gandhi acknowledged that the 2026–27 calendar was finalized in June and said the new timing points the community toward next‑cycle planning: "Knowing this now gives us a clear path forward. It allows us to shift our energy towards the next calendar cycle where we hope to partner with you early, collaboratively, and transparently," he said.

Rob Hamill, president of the Chesterfield Education Association, also addressed the board and described recent union activities, CPR training opportunities for staff and a new incentive program for building representatives tied to participation in union work and potential stipends. Hamill asked the board to consider creating an internship pathway for aspiring administrators or to make existing opportunities easier to find.

The clerk confirmed four scheduled in‑person commenters but recorded that only two gave remarks this evening. The board thanked the speakers and noted calendar planning will continue in future work sessions.

What to watch: SEAC and community groups that support inclusive calendar practices said they will pursue the proposal in the next calendar cycle; the board did not take immediate action on the request during this meeting.