School holidays: “International Workers’ Day” and “Presidents’ Day.”
Should this bill be enacted, it would amend existing laws regarding school holidays to ensure that both Presidents Day and International Workers Day are recognized as paid holidays for classified employees in the educational sector. As a result, Lincoln Day and Washington Day would no longer be designated paid holidays should a district elect to adopt the new structure. This impacts how educational institutions observe traditional holidays while fostering a renewed focus on labor history.
Assembly Bill 3042, introduced by Assembly Member Santiago, proposes modifications to the Education Code with significant implications for school holidays. The bill allows school districts, county offices of education, or charter schools to designate the third Monday in February as Presidents Day, while concurrently naming May 1 as International Workers Day. These changes intend to combine the observances of Lincoln Day and Washington Day into a single holiday, emphasizing the historical significance of labor movements alongside traditional commemorations of past presidents.
The sentiment surrounding AB 3042 has varied among stakeholders. Proponents argue that recognizing International Workers Day alongside Presidents Day is a progressive step that highlights the importance of labor movements in American history. Critics, however, may view the removal of Lincoln and Washington Days as diminishing the historical significance of these figures. The debate underscores tensions between tradition and modern values in educational settings.
Notable points of contention include the decision to eliminate Lincoln Day and Washington Day from the list of paid holidays, which may provoke concerns regarding historical representation and values being taught within the public education system. The bill raises questions about the balance between honoring historical figures and acknowledging the contributions of labor movements to societal advancements.