Texas school board demands winter vacation be called 'Christmas break': report

A Texas school board wants the upcoming winter vacation to be referred to as a "Christmas" rather than a "Holiday" break, WFAA reported Thursday.

Carroll Independent School District board president Cameron Bryan made the comments during a Dec. 18 meeting to discuss the district’s 2024-25 calendar, the outlet reports.

Bryan reportedly claimed school officials and parents were too scared to speak out about their phrasing preferences "due to fear of retribution.”

“I have, as I’m sure we all have, received several correspondence this month from the district referring to a ‘winter break,’ ‘winter parties,’ ‘holiday break,’ ‘holiday parties’ -- everything but ‘Christmas break’ and ‘Christmas parties,’” Bryan said. “It’s Christmas and New Year’s break, and I think the district should refer to it as such.”

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Bryan then referred to House Bill 308, which states that “a school district may educate students about the history of traditional winter celebrations, and allow students and district staff to offer traditional greetings regarding the celebrations, including 'Merry Christmas'; 'Happy Hanukkah' and 'Happy holidays.'"

“That is the law in Texas, so therefore, I want every Carroll ISD student, teacher, administrator, and parent to know it is OK to recognize and observe this holiday on our campuses if you so choose,” Bryan continued.