Tennessee School Opened on Memorial Day

While most people had this Memorial Day off, classes were in session in one Tennessee school district.

Students in Houston County did not get a holiday, and that has some parents hopping mad!

IT WASN'T AN OVERSIGHT OR A MISTAKE THAT THESE BUSES RAN ON MONDAY. WHEN HOUSTON COUNTY SCHOOL OFFICIALS STARTED LOOKING AT THE CALENDAR MORE THAN A YEAR AGO, THEY PLANNED ALL ALONG FOR STUDENTS TO BE IN CLASS FOR A FULL DAY ON MEMORIAL DAY.

They're looking at the last week with seniors and exam schedules.

HOUSTON COUNTY DIRECTOR OF SCHOOLS CATHY HARVEY SAYS MEMORIAL DAY BECAME A SCHOOL DAY AS A WAY TO HELP STUDENTS WITH THEIR FINALS.

Just felt it wasn't a good practice to come in on Tuesday after a holiday celebration and 3 days out of school and take exams Tuesday morning.

THAT DIDN'T GO OVER WELL IN THIS SMALL MOSTLY BLUE-COLLAR AND VERY PATRIOTIC TOWN. ANGRY PARENTS TOOK THEIR CONCERNS TO THE SCHOOL BOARD WHO EVENTUALLY VOTED TO CUT THE DAY IN HALF. STILL, STUDENTS  EXPECTED TO BE IN CLASS UNTIL AROUND NOON.

It's very disrespectful.

A LOT OF PARENTS STILL AREN'T SATISFIED..

The reason we have these schools is because of our men and women who fought for us. And they deserve one day. One day of honor and remembrance.

BUT HARVEY SAYS THEY WILL HONOR VETERANS AND WAR HEROES. AND FOR SOME STUDENTS THIS MEMORIAL DAY MAY ACTUALLY HOLD MORE SIGNIFICANCE THAN OTHERS.

We're not just dismissing school and sending kids home. We're having activities planned, veterans coming in and talking to our children. I think we are observing it. There's more ways to observe something rather than just taking the day off.

IT ISN'T THE FIRST TIME HOUSTON COUNTY SCHOOLS HELD CLASSES ON MEMORIAL DAY. BUT AFTER THE CONTROVERSY THIS YEAR, DIRECTOR HARVEY SAYS IT WILL LIKELY BE THE LAST.