School Board considering Saturday morning graduation

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

HOLLAND

Though it wouldn’t be feasible this year, the Warren County Board of Education is contemplating moving high school graduation ceremonies in future years from Friday night to Saturday morning.

School Board Chairman Mike Holland said the idea of moving graduation to Saturday came up during the board’s annual retreat last month in Cookeville. As of yet, he said, no action has been taken by the board or any of its committees.

“We’re not pushing this idea,” said Holland. “It’s just an option we’re exploring. We made no decision. Right now we just want to get feedback from the community.”

Among advantages to having graduation Saturday, Holland said, is families that live out of town would not have to miss as much work in order to drive here to attend ceremonies. Also, spring rain showers and thunderstorms are less likely to occur in the morning than in the evening, thus lessening the chance of postponing the ceremony.

The biggest problem with having a Saturday morning graduation, some school officials have said, is how it would affect Project Graduation, the annual post-graduation party held at the Civic Center for graduates. Since it begins shortly after graduation and lasts throughout the night – complete with games, food and prizes – some fear if the ceremony is held Saturday morning Project Graduation will lose much of its appeal.

Holland insists it is not the board’s intention to in any way sabotage Project Graduation. “The last thing we want to do is hurt Project Graduation. It is a great thing for our seniors,” Holland said. He added should graduation be moved to Saturday, perhaps Project Graduation could be moved up a few hours to allow the graduates use of the Civic Center’s outside facilities when temperatures are warmer.

There was initially talk of perhaps instituting the proposed change with this year’s graduation ceremonies. School Board members were informed, however, that would not be possible because graduation invitations and literature were already printed.

Holland reiterated no action has been taken. It was just an idea the board wanted to “throw out to the public” to gauge its response. There is no indication when, or even if, a motion regarding this matter will be brought up.