A number of parents of Meeker High School seniors and a couple of those scheduled to graduate made it clear Monday night they want a graduation as close to traditional as possible and they want it sooner rather than later.
Megan Johnson, a senior, told the board members, “We need a graduation. No one seems to understand,” she said, fighting back the tears as she commented. “We know and are glad you are going to give us something,” she added.
The parents and students showed up during Monday night’s Board of Education meeting and took the entire 15 minutes allotted for public comments expressing their sentiments about this year’s commencement.
It was not listed as an agenda item. Board President Marc Chapman advised all those attending that the board members nor administrators were allowed to respond to their concerns since it came during public comments.
The board could not take any official action since it was not on the agenda. But that didn’t stop the parents and the high school seniors from expressing their concerns.
“If you’re a parent,” Johnson told the board, “or even if you’re not, put yourself in our shoes. Just put yourself in our shoes,” she reiterated.
It was originally planned for Tuesday night (two days ago) at OBU’s Raley Chapel. But of course it was postponed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
One parent told board members, “Our concern is not knowing. Can we not have a graduation, recognition?”, she asked. “Like a large trailer in the parking lot where kids with their parents could stand beside their vehicles and the kids could walk across the trailer and receive their diplomas”?
She noted, “Our concern is waiting until June.”
Another woman said, “This is a class of Super Stars. We’re asking for your understanding and compassion.”
Another parent was adamant. “We need to get this done, the sooner the better. We have kids who are going off to work, going on to school.”
One man suggested to the board members, “If you can’t get it done, turn it over to the community. If your hands are tied, there are lots of people here and out there who will take on the burden.”
Steve Buoy who has a granddaughter graduating, addressed the board saying, “These kids need to be honored, they need to be recognized. We need to have it. Let’s go to the football field, get a trailer and let them walk across it to receive their diploma.”
Another woman spoke up, saying, “This class is pretty tight.”
One of the parents pointed out, “This class has been together since kindergarten. They’ve created so many things the classes behind them will enjoy. We just need you guys to give us the opportunity to honor them,” she told the board.
Halle Calvillo, a classmate of Johnson’s, said outside later, “I agree with everything Megan said. I want as close to a normal graduation as possible.”
Johnson and Calvillo, outside the meeting, stated, “We want it in May if possible. The later we put it off, the fewer people we are going to have.”
Both claimed, “The majority of the kids would like to have it on the football field.”
School Supt. Jeff Pruitt said later, “The decision on graduation is based on guidance from the Governor’s office and the State Department of Education.”
He referred to a statement by the State Education Department that said, “traditional in person graduation should be held after June 1.”
Pruitt further stated, “The goal of the administration has been and continues to focus on holding a traditional in person graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020.”
The board members, following an executive session, approved offering contracts to three teachers, among them one who will coach, for the 2020-2021 school year and accepted a resignation request.
They voted to offer contracts to Amy Stone and Melody Winn, both as elementary teachers and to Randell Ragland, secondary teacher and coach.
School Supt. Jeff Pruitt said Ragland will be the boy’s basketball coach.
They also accepted the resignation of Shyla Keenom, high school registrar.
The board voted also to approve 2020-2021 temporary appropriations.
In other business, the board:
Agreed to allow First Baptist Church to use a bus to transport students to Falls Creek.
Voted to allow the Meeker Chamber of Commerce to use buses to transport students to Prague for the summer swim program.
Agreed to a contract with Alcohol and Drug Testing Inc., for 2020-2021.
Approved a contract with Allison Brown as director of federal programs for 2020-2021.
Renewed a contract with the Department of Rehabilitation Services TransitionSchool to Work for the 2020-2021 school year.
Approved a contract with Select Physical for 2020- 2021.
Approved Title I Parent Involvement for 2020-2021 school year for the district, high school, middle school and elementary school.