A school board near Pensacola, Florida found itself embroiled in a debate over what to call the vacation that students get between December 22 and January 2. In a 2008-2009 school year calendar that was up for approval by the board, the period was listed as “Winter Break,” upsetting several members of the board.
The calendar was later amended, and it referred to the vacation as “Christmas Break” by the time it was voted on November 27. “The American people have turned their back on religion,” School Board member Jeff Bergosh said during the session when he was making his case to keep “Christmas” in the vacation name. “Nine out of 10 people celebrate Christmas,” he said. “It might sound petty, but to me it is important.”

The school board’s attorney, Donna Waters, has set up a meeting with the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union to discuss the matter further. “In an abundance of caution, I want to make sure we don’t do something that’s not inclusive,” Waters told the board.