Richmond adds two in-person school days to make up for lost time
The Richmond School Board voted 6-2 to reinstate Easter Monday as a school day Tuesday night, following seven days of asynchronous learning for students.
Feb. 17 will also be converted from a teacher work day to a full instructional day.
The administration asked for two additional days as well, President's Day on Feb. 16 and Eid al-Fitr, an Islamic holiday, on March 20.
But some Board members expressed opposition to that idea, noting that teachers and students were asked to work virtually all last week.
Superintendent Jason Kamras said that virtual school does not make up for in person learning.
“I think two things can be true: educators worked their very best to their abilities, and in-person instruction is most beneficial for our students and they would benefit from having an additional day,” he said.
Easter Monday falls on April 6, and is now the first day back from Spring Break. Feb. 17 is now also an in-person instructional day, but did not require a Board vote as teachers will already be in school for professional development.
Kamras also pointed to April 21, which is potentially the date of a statewide referendum on redistricting. That could cause additional school closures, he said.
During public comment Tuesday night, teachers expressed their frustration with the additions.
“This is inconsiderate at best,” said Andrea Bryant, president of the Richmond Education Association – a union representing school employees. She argued that making students and staff come in on holidays will result in more absences.
Ali Faruk (3rd District), who voiced his opposition to the original proposal, asked Kamras why the administration was making the suggestion when teachers already had to work for the last week.
“Because we have a duty to do everything we possibly can to support our young people. Seven days of closure is significant,” Kamras responded. Faruk later voted yes to the proposal.
Dissenting voter Wesley Hedgepeth (4th District) shared that he was worried about asking teachers to work additional time, adding that he has seen the work teachers are doing on the virtual days. Cheryl Burke (7th District) also voted no.
Hedgpeth also shared concerns with making Feb. 17 an instructional day. He suggested that the day should be reserved for professional development to provide the training teachers said they lacked, particularly around immigration issues.
Supporters echoed Kamras’ heed that virtual learning does not replace in-person schooling, while sharing that they understood teachers’ concerns.
Katie Ricard (2nd District) said that it has been difficult to keep her second grade daughter “moving forward” while learning from home, adding that she is worried about the loss in instruction. She also shared concerns about the division’s Standard of Learning scores and chronic absenteeism rates, which administrators recently showed has increased this school year.
Some students don’t have vacations or get to experience any, said Stephanie Rizzi (5th District), adding that school is a safe place to be for some students.
“I understand people who want days off, but there are students who want days in,” she said.
Matthew Percival (1st District) similarly said he has to “come down on the side of the students.”
While not directly, Hedgepeth responded to Percival’s comment by saying he was “saddened by the comment of sides.”
“Being on one side or the other means you’re not on the side of both, and I’m regretful of that,” Hedgepeth said.
Percival asked if the administration would consider identifying holidays as “at-risk” in the future, so that families and staff can be aware of which out-of-school days could become in-person and instructional.
Kamras responded that the Board could review and propose policy showing what days need to become instructional if a certain number of school days are cancelled.
“That would be a great step forward for families as they plan their year,” he said.
Contact Reporter Victoria A. Ifatusin at vifatusin@richmonder.org
