A Calendar of Controversy: Why AISD Dropped a Core Christian Holiday

Controversy in Austin over the 2025-2026 academic school year calendar.

The Austin Independent School District Removes Good Friday from the Calendar

According to KXAN, the controversy began after the nonprofit, Texas Values, submitted an open letter to the Austin District Superintendent on Tuesday, asking why the district removed Good Friday as a holiday in the 2025-2026 school year.

Who Decides Which Days are School Holidays?

In a school district statement obtained by KXAN, officials said the district calendar was created by a calendar task force. The group is comprised of 30-40 community members, teachers, parents, school employees, and others. The district said it made a concerted effort to include representatives of different faiths and cultures.

The District Explains an Easter Monday Holiday Instead of a Good Friday Holiday.

In its response to nonprofit Texas Values, the school district said the school calendar is a balance of “operational needs, instructional mandates and diverse considerations”. According to the statement obtained by KXAN, the district said observing Good Friday as a student holiday would place two school holidays within the same week. Cesar Chavez/Dolores Huerta Day would occur in the same week on Tuesday, March 31. The district did not comment on Good Friday being an extremely important day for Christians. Jesus was crucified on Good Friday and rose from the dead Easter Sunday (which is already a day off for students).

Texas Values Isn’t Buying It

In a letter to AISD Superintendent Matias Segura, Texas values said,“Austin ISD choosing to observe Cesar Chavez/Dolores Huerta day and not observing Good Friday, which is commonly a day that schools close in Texas, appears as if the school district is placing politics above a religious holiday.” The group wants Good Friday restored as a student and staff holiday.