Board adopts 2022–23 calendar with Juneteenth; families push to add Eid holiday

The San Francisco Board of Education approved the district’s 2022–23 instructional calendar and, following public advocacy, added Juneteenth as a recognized date on the school calendar. Several speakers representing Arab and Muslim communities urged the board to add Eid to the calendar as well, describing Ramadan and Eid as important cultural and religious observances for students and families.

Community call for Eid: Sharif Secout of the Arab Resource and Organizing Center, speaking during public comment, said the group had come during Ramadan to press the board for calendar recognition and asked trustees to “amend it to at least include one of our Eid holidays for the next school year,” arguing the change is an equity issue for Arab and Muslim families. Multiple parents, students and community groups — including the Parent Advisory Council and Mission High PTSA — also urged adding Eid and asked the board for a clear, timely process.

Staff explanation and constraints: Deputy Superintendent and calendar staff explained that the calendar process included outreach to PAC, unions and community groups earlier in the winter and that adding a paid holiday is typically negotiated with labor; staff recommended deeper, earlier community engagement in future years. The board noted Juneteenth’s citywide recognition and said the June 19 addition was possible within the current timeline and budget review.

What’s next: Trustees said they will bring forward a plan and timeline for how to consider additional religious or culturally specific holidays, including negotiation steps with labor partners and engagement with impacted communities. Members urged that future calendar cycles be opened earlier so the board can consider such requests with ample public input.

Ending: The board adopted the calendar (roll-call recorded) and directed staff to return with a recommended process for evaluating calendar changes and any potential budget implications.