Board adopts superintendent-led process to set criteria for adding holidays; community urges immediate implementation of Eid

The San Francisco Board of Education voted to adopt a superintendent-led resolution asking staff to develop a clear, equity-centered process and timeline for determining which culturally significant days should be added to the district academic calendar. The motion holds implementation of earlier Resolution 22510 A1 — which had adopted Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as school holidays — in abeyance until staff returns with recommendations by Jan. 31.

Dozens of students, parents and community leaders traveled to the podium to urge the board not to backtrack. “Eid to us is Christmas to you,” said Ayesha, a sophomore at Galileo High School, pleading directly for an official day off. Multiple student speakers described repeated absences and formal discipline when they observed religious holidays in prior years.

Lara Kiswani, executive director of the Arab Resource and Organizing Center, criticized the board for what she called a disrespectful and delay-prone process and urged immediate implementation in 2023–24. Student speakers and allied community members framed the issue as part of psychological safety and anti-discrimination.

The discussion in the board chamber turned to legal exposure after the district received a threat of litigation. Commissioner Shue moved an amendment to vacate (erase) the earlier Eid resolution; that amendment failed on a roll-call vote. The board then voted to adopt the superintendent’s resolution (the approach calls for staff to produce legal, operational and budget analyses and a proposed calendar for the board by January). The roll-call on the superintendent motion recorded six affirmative votes and one dissenting vote.

Board members who supported the superintendent-led approach said it balances urgency with the need for defensible legal and budgetary analysis. Those who opposed resurrected frustration about changing course after the board had previously approved Eid; one commissioner said the delay felt like a broken promise to Muslim and Arab students.

Next steps: Superintendent Wayne will return with criteria, analysis of legal/financial/operational impacts and a recommended calendar for the 2023–24 year by Jan. 31. The board retained final authority to adopt or reject any recommended calendar.