Springfield Schools and MLK Day 1992
Students escape class for King Day '92
Springfield News Leader January 24, 1991, page B1.
"The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday observance won't be an official holiday next year for the Springfield Public Schools, but it won't be a day in class for students.
"After more than two months of study and debate, the Springfield Board of Education voted Wednesday to make January 20, 1992 -- the date of the state and federal King Holiday -- a teacher-principal work day.
"That means students won't have to attend classes, but teachers and administrators will still have to report for paid duty. However, faculty will have the option of taking the day off as a personal business day.
"As many as five different options for dealing with King's birthday had been proposed to the board at recent meetings. But on Wednesday the choices were boiled down to two – neither of which would have made the day an official holiday.
"Both plans set January 20 as a teacher-principal work day and October 14 as a district-wide staff development day. The only difference between plans was that one labeled the days as King's birthday and Columbus Day. Board member Bill Thomas moved to approve the non-labeled version.
"'I'm against adding any other holidays to the calendar," the retired teacher said, mentioning King's birthday. "I just think it would serve students better not to attach that meaning to that day."
"His motion failed for lack of a second.
"Board member Joe Schaffitzel then moved to approve the labeled version. Board member Patti Penny seconded the motion, and it passed 5-1 on a voice vote. Thomas voted nay.
"Board member Charlotte Hardin said the district should have a clear goal of officially honoring King on its calendar. "There are a lot of taxpayers and patrons who are in favor of a holiday," she said.
"Labeling and declaring the day a teacher-principal work day is a step in the right direction, Hardin said. But if the issue faces a similar debate next year, 'I don't think we're getting anywhere,' she added.
"Students are scheduled to attend 178 days of school in the 1991-92 academic year. Classes are set to begin on September 3. The last day of school could be as early as June 5, 1992, depending on how many days are used for emergency closings.
"Also Wednesday, the board:
- Approved a two-year pilot project to allow Hillcrest High School to switch from a six-period day. Beginning this fall, students will enroll in an eight-block program, which divides each day into four 90-minute class periods. If the project succeeds, it could be extended to all high schools in the district, administrators say.
- Named Jane Hancock, current principal at Horace Mann Elementary School, to be the first principal of the district's new Harry S. Truman Elementary School. Scheduled for opening this fall in the 3800 block of North Summit Avenue, just north of the city limits. Truman will accommodate students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
"The board also studied a set of proposed attendance area boundaries for Truman. A vote on the boundaries could come at next month’s regular board meeting."
To read more about Rev. King see The radical King / Martin Luther King, Jr. ; edited and introduced by Cornel West or Thou, dear God: prayers that open hearts and spirits / Martin Luther King, Jr. ; foreword by the Julius R. Scruggs ; edited and introduced by Lewis V. Baldwin. The library is closed for Martin Luther King Day on Monday January 16.
Find this article at http://thelibrary.org/blogs/article.cfm?aid=4697&lid=62