Barring interference by Mother Nature, graduation at Bridgeport High School will not have guest limitations. The announcement, which is in place for all schools that can have outdoor ceremonies, was made earlier this week by the Harrison County Board of Education.

 

Superintendent Dora Stutler made the announcement about the graduations that start later this month, including Bridgeport’s event. BHS has graduation set for May 29 and 9 a.m.

 

“Ultimately, this decision is about wanting to do what’s best for students and families and doing it in a safe and healthy way,” said Harrison Board of Education President Gary Hamrick. “Once we had discussions and got the go ahead from the (Harrison County) Health Department, we moved ahead. We want to be inclusive as possible, and this allows for that.”

 

BHS Principal Matt DeMotto said the way the graduation will be set up at Wayne Jamison Field will be similar to last year.

 

“We’ll be using the entire stadium with both home and away bleachers,” said DeMotto. “We should have plenty of room for social distancing.”

 

Ironically, Stutler mentioned one school when it came to having to go indoors as the result of bad weather – Bridgeport. She said if that were the case, BHS would have a ticket limitation due to the size of the gymnasium.

 

“It’s always been the case in the past that if the weather is severe, we have to go indoors. If that is the case this year, we’ll be issuing two tickets per student and will require a face covering,” said DeMotto.

 

Hamrick, like DeMotto, would prefer the outdoor venue. However, it is not just because of the COVID-19 situation.

 

“I’ve always been a fan of the outdoor graduation. If we can do them all outside that would be great. We know there’s always a chance for bad weather, but having them outside has, at least from my perspective, been a better option,” said Hamrick.

 

Hamrick said there will likely be some social distancing protocols in place. Stutler told the media Monday that the hope is to have family units sit together in pods to help with spacing.

 

“The first thing, after having the extreme of last year, is to be able to have a graduation. Now, having it outside if the weather cooperates and allows for entire families to be there is a much better thing,” Hamrick said.

 

As for whether schools should move their ceremonies inside, Hamrick said that policy will stay the same. He said that will be left up to the individual schools to make that determination.

 

“Thunderstorms are likely a different story, but I would imagine a light rain won’t deter anyone from wanting this to be unlimited with attendance,” said Hamrick.

 

DeMotto echoed those comments.

 

“I’m prepared to sit through rain, but not sit through lightning or a torrential downpour. We’ll be very reluctant to go inside due to weather barring a severe thunderstorm event. If there is light rain forecast, one should bring an umbrella.”

 

DeMotto said for anyone concerned the day of graduation that weather may be an issue to first check schoology, listen for a message on the school’s callout system and also on Connect-Bridgeport. A decision, he said, will be made by 7:45 a.m. on that Saturday.