The debate over whether school should be closed the entire week of Thanksgiving divided the Alachua County School Board Tuesday night.
     The teacher's union is proposing to take off the Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving.  They would add two days to the end of the school year to meet the required 180 days of instruction.
     During a public hearing Tuesday night, no members of the public spoke, although many sent emails both for and against the plan.  Board Members, however, did express strong opinions.  Member Carol Oyenarte said it would be difficult for many parents to find daycare for the two days before Thanksgiving.  She also pointed out some employees would end up with two unpaid work days.
     But Board Member Gunnar Paulsen replied that parents would have to find daycare for the same number of days, just two different ones.
     The board will vote on the new calendar later this year.