WASHINGTON — Montgomery County Public Schools just made a calendar change to recognize a Muslim holiday next year.

But instead of adding holidays to please a growing number of different religious populations, Howard County Public School leaders are considering a different approach.

A calendar committee came up with two options for the 2016-2017 school year.

The first would keep the school calendar mostly as it is now. The second would open schools on the Jewish holidays of Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashana for the first time since 1979.

A public hearing on the options before the school board Thursday night drew a capacity crowd.

“Every Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur since I started school, I’ve gone to synagogue,” said student Josh Cohen.  “If we were to have school, many people would have to miss it.”

Student Heather Friedman agrees.

“It would be a waste of money and electricity having all the schools open,” she said.

“Those are the most important holidays for the Jewish people like me and my family,” said student Mallory Goldman.

Another student, Jamie Cotler, said she was “astonished” by the proposal. “In a system that prides itself on the diversity of students and staff, this is a step backwards.”

If the calendar is changed, students who observe those holidays would be granted excused absences.

The school board has received about 500 emails on the issue, and is scheduled to vote Jan. 14 on one option or the other.