Posted on 06/07/2012 7:20:26 AM PDT by marshmallow
When Montgomery County Council member George L. Leventhal sent a letter to school leaders late last month asking for schools to be closed on two Muslim holidays, he cited the county’s significant Muslim population and religious fairness.
But school systems in the state cannot declare days off — in this case, Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr — solely because they are religious holidays, no matter population demographics, said Rochelle Eisenberg, of Towson-based Pessin Katz Law P.A., a lawyer who specializes in education and employment law.
School systems must base the decision on attendance rates to avoid violating the establishment clause, which prohibits lawmakers from exerting religious preference, Eisenberg said, citing a 1999 Maryland court ruling.
“What you have to do is determine that there are so many absences in the school system, between students and staff, that the school system cannot be properly run,” Eisenberg said.
Leventhal (D-At Large) asked Superintendent of Schools Joshua P. Starr and Board of Education President Shirley Brandman in his letter to consider fairness, respect and inclusion.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
They forgot a third holiday: 9/11.
I like when they include Easter when they talk about religious holidays that the schools are closed on.
Considering that Islam is a brutal, repressive political ideology that advocates violence against those who are not muslim and seeks to shut down freedom of religion and that it is not protected under our constitution and has no place in civilized society...I would think that giving them a holiday would not be an option. The answer should be NO! Actually, HELL NO!
You’re not kidding.
The People’s Republic (Land of Peasant Living!)
How about Conquest of America (9/11) Day?
There. Fixed.
If I recall correctly, when we lived in PA there were some schools who had jewish holidays off because there were more Jewish kids in that district. And some reminded me that in rural PA the opening of deer hunting season used to be a school holiday.
Umm, I would have expected a Mohammed to support this but a Leventhal?
The religion of Liberalism and political correctness trumps survival. I never, ever can understand why Elena Kagan made Harvard’s Endowment Sha’ria-compliant or why anyone of that faith supports ZerO.
Guilt over reasoning?
Self-hate over love for your own people?
Who knows, it’s suicidal insanity.
Perhaps something fitting, like "Goat Humping Holiday" or "Throat Slitting Break".
Mobile, Alabama (The birth place of Mardi Gras) has a Mardi Gras day off.
Religion?
Haha - yeah I guess there are days worked into local school districts that have some regional connection, not religion. But I think that should be the decision of local school boards/administration.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.