The school district in Cranston, Rhode Island says that Good Friday is not a religious holiday and therefore teachers who are Christians cannot use one of their two designated personal days for religious events.

The teachers are saying that’s violating their rights.

The close to 200 teachers are suing the school district, saying that they should have the right to take the day and attend services at their local churches.  The school’s superintendent, Judith Lundsten, said that the contracts of the teachers specify they may take the holiday only if they are required to attend services and that Good Friday “has no required services.”

The teachers say the actions of the Superintendent violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

This year marks the first time in decades that Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah and Good Friday are not holidays in the school calendar.  The school committee voted to eliminate those holidays in June.

It has been a long, difficult winter for our parents, students and staff. We have already accumulated six additional days to our school year,” said Janice Ruggierei, chairperson of the Cranston School Committee.

“We should be focusing on finishing the school year by meeting our students’ academic calendar requirements.”