Graduation ceremony in flux

On Friday, May 8, the Minnesota Department of Education, Office of Higher Education and Minnesota Department of Health released guidance for schools regarding graduation ceremonies. 

The guidelines do not allow football stadium gatherings and strongly recommend virtual graduations. 

“To be brief, any plans to have an in-person graduation ceremony held indoors, outside in stadiums and football fields are not permitted according to their guidance,” said Springfield Superintendent, Keith Kottke in an open letter sent out to parents on Friday.  

He continued, “The school district is back to the drawing board to work on plans to prepare the best “compliant” graduation ceremony we can.  We hope to have revised plans ready and communicated out to you by early next week.”

The Superintendent is working on preparing a letter requesting that Governor Walz, Minnesota Department of Education, and the Minnesota Department of Health, to allow school districts to work with their local county public health and law enforcement agencies to plan a safe in-person graduation on a football field where social distancing standards are met.  

“If our request is denied, the school district will be receptive in conducting an in-person ceremony later in the summer if public health guidance changes,” concluded Kottke.