CPS proposes holding classes on Veterans Day instead of Election Day

Chicago Public Schools officials are looking to hold classes on Veterans Day this November to make up for a school day lost to a new law that makes Election Day a state holiday.

The swap of the two holidays will be proposed to the Board of Education at its monthly meeting Wednesday for a vote to approve a revised 2019-2020 school year schedule.

If the change is made, Veterans Day would still be a district holiday but would be added to a list of holidays the district is allowed to use for classes, parent-teacher conferences or teacher institute days. Others on the list include the recently renamed Indigenous Peoples Day, Casimir Pulaski Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.

CPS officials said schools would still recognize Veterans Day using instructional materials during remote classes, as required by the Illinois School Code for districts holding classes on any of those exempted holidays.

“The district will encourage honoring veterans on both November 3, 2020 . . . and will honor veterans on November 11, 2020, with a moment of silence and lessons on veterans,” the district said in its proposal.

The proposed change is prompted by Gov. J.B. Pritzker signing legislation in June that, among other election initiatives, made Election Day a state holiday prohibiting K-12 schools from opening other than as polling locations. CPS had released its calendar for the new school year in February.

A public hearing to discuss the potential change is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Wednesday ahead of the regular board meeting.

The school system, the nation’s third largest, is holding classes remotely through early November because of the coronavirus pandemic.