Austin ISD Refuses to Recognize Good Friday, Keeps Schools Open

District cites Dolores Huerta Day as reason to close schools, despite state canceling Cesar Chavez observance

Mar. 20, 2026 at 10:14pm

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Austin ISD Superintendent Matias Segura has informed parents that the district will keep schools open on Good Friday, while closing schools to observe Dolores Huerta Day on March 31. This decision comes despite the City of Austin and the state of Texas canceling events celebrating Cesar Chavez Day due to recent allegations against Chavez. Texas Values, a Christian advocacy group, has demanded that Austin ISD allow excused absences for students to observe Good Friday.

Why it matters

The decision by Austin ISD to keep schools open on Good Friday, a major Christian holiday, while closing for Dolores Huerta Day has drawn criticism from religious groups like Texas Values. The move is seen as prioritizing left-leaning political causes over traditional religious observances.

The details

In a letter to parents, Superintendent Segura said Austin ISD will close schools on March 31 to observe Dolores Huerta Day, rather than the previously celebrated Cesar Chavez Day. This is despite the City of Austin and the state of Texas canceling events for Cesar Chavez Day due to recent allegations of child sex abuse against Chavez. Segura said the district will "reflect" and "hold space" on the Cesar Chavez controversy in the coming weeks. However, the superintendent made no mention of giving students Good Friday off, a holiday that most other Texas school districts observe.

  • Austin ISD will close schools on March 31 for Dolores Huerta Day.
  • Good Friday falls on April 3, 2026, but Austin ISD students will have to attend school that day.

The players

Matias Segura

Superintendent of Austin Independent School District.

Texas Values

A Christian advocacy group that has demanded Austin ISD allow excused absences for students to observe Good Friday.

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What they’re saying

“Austin ISD was given a golden opportunity to re-arrange their calendar and close schools on April 3 (Good Friday) instead of on March 31, given that the City of Austin and Governor Abbott have cancelled the observance of Cesar Chavez Day. Instead Austin ISD has stubbornly decided to continue to ignore the request to observe the over 2,000-year-old religious holiday of Good Friday, because they view Christianity and the idea of a perfect man engaging self-sacrifice for the world as more controversial than the current events surrounding Cesar Chavez/Dolores Huerta Day.”

— Mary Elizabeth Castle, Director of Government Relations for Texas Values

What’s next

Austin ISD has scheduled a meeting on March 26 to make updates to the school calendar, where the decision on Good Friday may be reconsidered.

The takeaway

This decision by Austin ISD highlights the ongoing tensions between honoring traditional religious holidays and accommodating more progressive political causes. The district's stance has drawn criticism from religious groups who feel their beliefs are being sidelined.