RALEIGH, N.C. – Wake GOP Chairman Claude E. Pope, Jr. is assailing the Wake County Public School System’s (WCPSS) decision to send all students on year-round calendars to school on Memorial Day.  These tens of thousands of students, along with traditional calendar students, instead did not go to school the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, a convenience holiday.

“Memorial Day, which was established in 1868, is a national holiday of remembrance of the millions of American patriots who have fought to protect this country’s freedom.  It is shameful that the WCPSS decided to make this special day a school day for Wake students who attend year-round schools,” said Pope.  “On behalf of the Wake County Republican Party, I urge parents to keep their children home from school so that they can honor our veterans with their families.

“Decisions by the school board and WCPSS like this once again illustrate that the needs of Wake parents and students are not a priority.  This is why the Wake GOP and PACs like Take Wake Schools Back are working hard to recruit and elect four new school board members who will make common-sense decisions and listen to parents,” Pope added.