River Trails School District 26 is holding a public hearing regarding student/staff attendance on legal school holidays. In order to attend school on an official state holiday, a public hearing is required under the law.
Section 24-2 of the School Code provides that a school board or other eligible entity is authorized to hold school or schedule teachers’ institutes, parent-teacher conferences, or staff development activities (including school improvement and inservice training) on the following legal school holidays:
- The birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (third Monday in January);
- The birthday of President Abraham Lincoln (February 12);
- The birthday of Casimir Pulaski (first Monday in March);
- Columbus Day (second Monday in October);
- Veterans’ Day (November 11)* (see below); and
- Good Friday
The school board or other applicant is authorized to take these actions provided that (1) the person/persons honored by the holiday are recognized through instructional activities conducted on that day or, if the day is not used for student attendance, on the first school day preceding or following that day; and (2) the entity choosing to exercise this authority first holds a public hearing about the proposal.
We wish to attend school on The birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King and the Friday before the Easter holiday. A Public Hearing is scheduled for January 16, 2024 at 7 P.M.
If you have any questions please contact Kristine Seifert, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning at 224-612-7303.