June 11 is a student holiday in Henrico

In response to community and staff concerns about safety, the Henrico School Board voted at its Thursday work session to make June 11 a student holiday and staff clerical day. Virginia’s primary elections will take place that day, and many HCPS schools serve as polling places.

Because members of the public need easy access to school facilities to visit polling places in gyms, auditoriums and other school common areas, schools are not able to screen visitors with the same thoroughness they would employ during a regular school day, according to school system officials. Some parents, staff and community members have raised concerns about the public polling access.

The change will not require further changes to the school year, because the school division has enough time built into the calendar to accommodate the added holiday. Some schools may need to adjust their exam schedules, however, as well as certain ceremonies and events. Students and families can expect further information from their schools as plans are adjusted.

The holiday does not affect June 11 graduation exercises, which will take place as scheduled for Deep Run, Douglas Freeman and Mills Godwin high schools.

The change to the calendar was made after a February effort to move the state’s primary day was unsuccessful during the General Assembly’s session.

For details, visit https://henricoschools.us/june11-2019-calendar-update/.