The Webster Groves School District will continue its long-standing tradition of holding classes the day before the big Thanksgiving Turkey Day Game between the Webster and Kirkwood high school football teams.

School board members made the decision when they approved the 2013-2014 school calendar at Monday's meeting. Kirkwood students are off the day before Thanksgiving.

At the last school board meeting, Linda Holliday, the district's human resources consultant and calendar committee chairwoman, recommended to the board that the district give students the day off. However, board members and taxpayers expressed concerns about the extra day, and the board requested more information.

"I met with the calendar committee and shared what the board had discussed and requested, and we decided to give you a calendar that includes classes the day before Thanksgiving," Holliday told board members at Monday's meeting.

Board President Amy O'Brien said, "Thank you to the committee for its work and for being flexible." 

The board unanimously approved the 2013-2014 calendar on its consent agenda, and there were no comments on the issue from board members.