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Pushback continues against school board for having classes on MLK day

Posted at 11:12 PM, Nov 14, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-14 23:13:02-05

Opposition to holding classes on Martin Luther King Jr. Day is growing in Collier County.

Although Collier County board members finalized their decision to hold classes on Martin Luther King Junior Day, they are facing heat for their decision.

“You may think it’s just a day but it’s not," Barbara Melvin told board members.

The board met shortly after Hurricane Irma to decide how to make up school days lost during the storm.

It eventually settled on holding classes on January 15h, 2018, which is MLK Day.

"It was not based on emotion, it was based on logistics," board member Kelly Lichter told 4-In-Your-Corner earlier this year.

The NAACP and Collier Freedom teamed up to collect 1,000 petition signatures trying to get Lichter and her colleagues to change their minds.

"We feel it sends the wrong message about Collier County, about Collier County being a warm and inclusive community," said K.C. Schulberg.

Tuesday's meeting lasted several hours and board members were not available for comment.  Board member Stephanie Lucarelli told 4-In-Your-Corner during a break, she would bring up the issue at the end of the meeting, but no action can be taken until the next meeting.