Sumner County School Board Votes to Keep ‘Christmas Break’ After Heated Debate Over Holiday Name

The Sumner County School Board voted unanimously to call the winter break “Christmas Break” on the school calendar. (Photo: Sumner County Schools)

After nearly an hour of emotional public comment, the Sumner County Board of Education voted to keep “Christmas Break” on its school calendar, rejecting a proposed change to “Winter Break.” The decision capped a heated discussion that revealed sharp divisions in the community over heritage, inclusivity, and the role of religion in public education.

Dozens of parents and community members filled the boardroom Monday night to voice their opinions. Laura Baker told members she wanted the board to leave the holiday name unchanged.

“We all know that break is there because of Christmas, so I’d like to see you keep it there,” she said.

Mike McLahan, wearing a shirt that read “Unashamed,” said he was proud to defend the Christian roots of the holiday.

“I don’t understand why there’s been a move to take away the name of ‘Christmas Break,’” McLahan said. “This celebration recognizes the birth of Jesus Christ, that God made flesh. The one who came into this world to bring light to the darkness, and hope and salvation to mankind. This issue may seem small, but it could send us down a slippery slope even further away from our heritage, our history, and the one true God. I implore you to do the right thing and keep Christmas on the calendar.”

Joanna Daniels tied the issue to local politics, warning board members up for reelection that their decision could have political consequences.

“Most people here in Sumner County claim to be Conservative Christians,” she said. “There’s a church or two on every block. You might be risking your seat if you change it to Winter Break.”

Kris Gillespie said political correctness had gone too far.

“We live in a world where political correctness sometimes threatens to overshadow cultural and deeply religious celebrations,” he said. “If hearing someone say, ‘Merry Christmas’ offends you or triggers you, it probably has more to do with your politics than your faith.”

Support for Broader Representation

Not everyone agreed. Elizabeth Broadway, who identified herself as a Christian, urged empathy toward families of other faiths.

“I believe in Jesus, but at the end of the day, we live in a community with different faith populations,” she said. “We have a high Sudanese population; we have different people that exist, not just Evangelical Christians. I went to Moody Bible Institute in Downtown Chicago, yet I also choose to recognize other people don’t believe the same thing I do, and I believe we should have empathy and respect for those people.”

Board members were similarly divided. Shellie Young Tucker expressed concern that keeping “Christmas” in the name could alienate students and families who don’t celebrate the holiday.

“I have many members who do not celebrate Christmas,” she said. “When we use that word, it can make those families feel invisible.”

Board member Andy Lacy disagreed, saying the district’s calendar should reflect state and federal precedent.

“The state of Tennessee, on its calendar, calls it Christmas,” Lacy said. “The United States of America calls it Christmas.”

Although members were divided in discussion, their final, unanimous vote affirmed that Sumner County Schools will continue to use “Christmas Break” on its official calendar, a decision that many attendees applauded.

With more than 30,000 students across 52 schools, Sumner County Schools is among the state’s largest districts.