PORTLAND — The School Board on Tuesday was scheduled to review a proposal to change graduation dates for the city’s three high schools.

This year the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr falls between June 3 and 5, when graduation is typically held. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, and is a major religious holiday, according to a memo to the School Board from Superintendent Xavier Botana.

“The Portland Public Schools strives to accommodate the diverse religious beliefs of our students … (and) each year we ask our school leaders to not schedule important school events, activities or exams on (special) holidays,” the memo said.

Botana is proposing the high school graduations be moved to June 6. No vote on the change was expected this week, according to the School Department; Tuesday’s discussion, after The Forecaster deadline, was meant to be informational only. The School Board next meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15, when a final vote could happen.


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