School board members in Maine's capital city have rejected a proposal to add multiple religious holidays to the school calendar.
The Kennebec Journal reports the Augusta school board voted 5-2 Wednesday against the policy that would've added Christian, Eastern Orthodox Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu holidays to the calendar.
School board members cited several reasons for rejecting the policy. Some said it left out other religions, and others said teachers and school administrators already work to accommodate students' religious beliefs.
Superintendent James Anastasio says the school calendar is already full of events, and it would be impossible to accommodate all students.
Advocates of the policy say the board's rejection was disappointing. Cindy Bernstein, whose family is Jewish, says the policy would have demonstrated that all faiths are welcome.