The Good Friday discussion was back on Thursday night, and Rochester School Committee members stood by their opinion that schools should be in session on the Christian holiday.

“I think it’s inappropriate to have a religious holiday off,” said Chair Tina Rood.

The topic came up during a discussion about the school calendar, which each school committee in the tri-town is talking about before it is voted on at the Joint School Committee next month.

Holding classes on Good Friday began two years ago. This Good Friday, however, will be a vacation day. Because of the holiday's proximity to spring break, the Joint School Committee voted last year to include it as a vacation, explained Superintendent Doug White.

On the Good Fridays when school was held, a number of teachers opted to take the day as a religious holiday, which White said put a strain on the schools. Getting enough substitute teachers to cover the absences is a challenge.

“We feel like we’re really stretching our personnel to manage an environment that would be conducive to education on that day,” he said.

Committee member Sharon Hartley attributed that, in part, to communication from some administrators.

“Handled well, that wouldn’t happen,” she said.

Hartley also said administrators and school committee members across the tri-town have been split on the issue.

“We need to be able to come to a resolution together about it,” Hartley said. She said the division is “not healthy.”

The School Committee also expressed a preference to have next Dec. 22 a full day, not a half day, off for students. Last Dec. 23 was a half day and poorly attended by students, said White.

The committee’s comments will be considered when the Joint School Committee decides on the tri-town schools’ calendar on March 23.

In other news

Business Administrator Patrick Spencer said the current budget draft for Rochester Memorial School is $6,920,000, a $154,000 or 2.6 percent increase above the current budget. The only added position is a .3 health teacher, to be shared between the three towns.

The budget is now being reviewed by town administrators, and a hearing on it will be held March 23 meeting at 4:30 p.m. The location is still to be determined.