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Parents and faith advocates urge Austin ISD to restore Good Friday to academic calendar
Summary
Three in-person speakers and two recorded messages told the Austin ISD Board that removing Good Friday from the 2026–27 academic calendar sidelines Christians and urged trustees to restore the religious holiday.
Carol Frederick told the board she has repeatedly asked trustees to put Good Friday back on the district calendar and said its omission signals disregard for Christians in the district: “Good Friday is vital because God so loved the world…your refusal to acknowledge Good Friday shows total disdain for Jesus’ sacrifice,” she said.
Mary Elizabeth Castle said restoring Good Friday is a matter of religious liberty and asked trustees to consider other Texas districts that observe the holiday as evidence that the district can accommodate it.
Jonathan, who identified himself as policy director for Texas Values, urged trustees to restore Good Friday so that “no student should have to choose between honoring their faith and attending school.” Recorded messages from Stephanie and Adam Sparks (Maplewood Elementary) echoed the request and asked for clearer communications on calendar decisions and school-closure procedures.
The board did not take action on the public comments during the meeting; staff reminded the public that the district may provide only basic factual information in response to non-agenda comments and that comments related to posted agenda items can prompt follow-up or deliberation during the meeting. Trustees asked staff clarifying questions about whether the district was preventing worship and confirmed calendar dates when asked by speakers.
The public-comment portion concluded with staff inviting additional questions or materials by email to trustees@austinisd.org.
