RANDOLPH, N.J. (WCBS 880) — Following public backlash and calls for resignations, a school district in New Jersey has reversed its decision to replace the names of holidays on the calendar with the phrase "day off."
It all started in May when the Randolph school board voted to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day.
The move was met with a public outcry and complaints from Italian Americans, which prompted the board to remove all holiday names -- including Thanksgiving and Christmas -- from the calendar, instead labeling the days generically.
That sparked further criticism as well as an online petition calling for Superintendent Jennifer Fano and members of the school board to resign.
The district issued a statement on June 13 saying their actions were being "misconstrued."
It all culminated in a chaotic board of education meeting Monday night.
"You committed the ultimate act of discrimination by pitting Italian Americans against Native Americans," one parent said.
"Stripping the traditional days from the school calendar is not only insulting, it sends the wrong message to our students. It lessens the meaning and distorts the history behind the specific events," another parent said.
The meeting ended with the board voting 8-1 to restore the old calendar, including Columbus Day.
WCBS 880's Sean Adams found many residents support keeping the original calendar.
"I think that holidays should remain holidays," one woman said. "Leave the calendar alone."
"It's been a part of our history for so many years and it should just remain as is," one man said.
"They're reinventing history," another man said.
A committee will review public comments.