The Board of Education voted today to make March 31 "Cesar E. Chavez Day" -- a paid holiday across Los Angeles Unified.
The board vote was marked by student comments and performances that celebrated the Mexican-American activist leader of farm workers. Students have marched in support of the holiday, and many walked out in 2007 (the same year as the massive immigration rally in downtown LA).
A board resolution from Yolie Flores Aguilar directed Superintendent Ramon Cortines to negotiate with unions to have Chavez Day replace Admissions Day or another paid holiday.
A 2000 state law established Chavez Day as a state holiday, authorizing schools to close for the day.
