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Exclusive: Will Prince William schools follow its own rules and close for Trump Inauguration?

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — Ask any teacher, parent, or student in Prince William County today and they’ll tell you school is in session on January 20, Inauguration Day, the day Donald Trump moves into the White House.

Why? The school calendar lists January 20, 2017, as a regular school day.

But school officials and parents might have to rethink their plans.

Following the election of President Obama in 2008, the School Board voted to make Inauguration Day 2009 — and all subsequent Inauguration Days, which happen every four years after a U.S. President is elected — a holiday.

But, memories appear to be short. And the current School Board has, apparently, forgot about this rule it put in place eight years ago.

From Prince William County Schools spokeswoman Irene Cromer:

“[Innaguration Day] is not currently on the calendar but we will let you know of any changes.”

Northern Virginia was a frenzy of anticipation leading up to Inauguration Day 2009. Aside from the fact that the historic event would see the swearing-in of the nation’s first black president, hundreds of thousands flocked to the area to bear witness or to be a part of inaugural festivities.

Virginia State Police closed Interstate 395 and a portion of I-66 at the Capital Beltway, forcing the thousands headed into Washington from Virginia to take Metro or to find another route through Maryland.

Teachers in Prince William County wanted to take off from work to go to the Inauguration. By declaring the date a holiday, Prince William teachers didn’t have to worry about using allocated time off to do so, according to the minutes of the same School Board meeting.

While the inauguration of Donald Trump may not be historical, the political upset that will put him in the White House is. We’ll update you on any changes the Prince William County School Board makes to its calendar.

Updated

The vote by the Prince William County School Board in 2008 declaring Inauguration Day a school holiday also made Presidents Day on Inauguration years a regular school day.

Prince William County Potomac District School Board member Justin Wilk says he wants to hear from students on this issue: 

 

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