The Collier County Chapter of the NAACP is not giving up its fight to stop the school district from having class on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Earlier in October Collier County School Board members approved a revised calendar, with make up days due to Hurricane Irma. Classes will be held on January 18th, 2018, normally an off day for MLK Day.
"I think it's a disgrace that they would even consider, taking this holiday, under the current situation, and using it as a make up day," said Director of the Collier NAACP Vincent Keeys.
Keeys launched a petition drive after the October 10th school board meeting, where members decided to approve a calendar that had MLK day as a regular school day.
Keeys' proposal asks the board to have students come back from winter break a day early to make up for having MLK day off.
Keeys is frustrated other areas affected by Hurricane Irma found a way to make up the days.
"Many of the counties besides Lee County, we had Broward County and Monroe County, which was hard hit by Hurricane Irma."
School board member Kelly Lichter said monday she is aware of the petition, but doubt it will sway anyone's mind.
Earlier this month she told 4-in-Your Corner no one would be happy whether classes were held on Veterans Day, Martin Luther King day or Presidents Day.
"It was not based on emotion for the school board and the administration, it was based on logistics."
But Keeys says this emotionless decision sparked a lot of anger.
"I really believe that what they have done is made a stroke of the pen so to speak to just capture some days back, without giving it due consideration."
So far the petition drive has collected 400 signatures. Keeys hopes to have 1,000 signatures by November 8th.
