Coalition Letter to Austin ISD Demanding that the School District Restore Good Friday as a Staff and Student Holiday

Austin Independent School District

4000 S. IH 35

Austin, TX 78704

Dear Superintendent Matias Segura,

Last fall, it came to our attention that Austin ISD cancelled the observance of Good

Friday as a staff and student holiday for the 2025-2026 school year. In October, Texas Values

sent a letter to Austin ISD requesting that the school board edit the academic calendar to

include Good Friday as a staff and student holiday. In a statement to the media and other

information that was shared with Texas Values, we learned that Austin ISD claims the

reason for having students attend school on Good Friday is because students will be out of

school earlier in the week on Tuesday March 31 for Cesar Chavez/Dolores Huerta Day.

Texas Values discovered information that Cesar Chavez/Dolores Huerta Day was one of four

non-negotiable holidays that had to be placed on the school calendar. Good Friday was not

one of those days.

Last week, Texas Values sent a press release and public message to Austin ISD to

close schools on Good Friday and cancel/postpone Cesar Chavez Day in light of many cites,

states, and Governor Abbott cancelling events regarding that day. However, you sent a letter

to parents stating that schools will remain closed on March 31 and the day would be

renamed Dolores Huerta Day. Your letter made no mention of Good Friday.

Cancelling Good Friday is punishing Christian students by forcing them to attend

school instead of attending religious services on that day. Texas Education Code 25.087

allows students to be excused to observe religious holy days. Austin ISD has not noti􀏐ied

parents that Christian students can have an excused absence to observe Good Friday. We

believe that Austin ISD is punishing Good Friday observance.

We ask that Austin ISD do two things:

1. Propose a vote at the March 26 Austin ISD Board Meeting to add Good Friday back to

the calendar as a school holiday

2. Close schools on Good Friday and notify parents

It is unfair that Austin ISD has continued to ignore one of the most widely celebrated

and foundational holidays to the Christian faith. Please restore Good Friday.

Sincerely,

Texas Values

Texas House Representative Ellen Troxclair

Texas House Representative Terri Leo-Wilson

Vice Chair of Republican Party of Texas, D’rinda Randall

Statewide Groups

Moms for America

Moms for Liberty

State Republican Executive Committee Members

Chris Breaux

Galyn Devine

Randy Purham

Joseph Sakki

Greg Harrelll

Matt Ticzkus

Melissa Knerr

Bruce Bishop

Lydia Covey

Walter West

Gwen Winthrow

Cheryl Thompson- Draper

Robyn Cooper

Milinda Morris

Jim Pickl

Rachel Horton

Christin Bentley