Remembering Dr. King

I was glad to hear Fairmont Area Schools spent some time talking about the civil rights movement with students last Monday on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. A student told me the day was marked by an announcement over the loudspeaker and she watched part of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech during a history class. Not quite what I would have hoped for, but it was better than nothing, I suppose.

At the same time, I was greatly disappointed. While local students sat through their regular classes on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, they enjoyed a free day later that week on Friday, Jan. 23, and another on Monday, Jan. 24.

I'm assuming these free days have something to do with the end of the quarter, but I'm still a bit frustrated with the school district. Though I'm sure no harm was meant, to schedule a free day at the end of that week -- while disregarding the significance of a holiday honoring a man's vision for racial equality -- seems disrespectful.