Summer weather and COVID-19 force changes to high school graduations in Manatee County
As it tries to balance the need for safety and celebration during the COVID-19 pandemic, the School District of Manatee County has announced more changes to its high school graduations.
Four ceremonies, originally scheduled for late evening, will now take place in the morning to avoid summer temperatures and storms. The change in times also forced a change of dates for two ceremonies, according to a news release.
“If there is a rainout, the early starting time will provide the possibility of rescheduling the ceremony for later the same day,” the release states.
Graduations will take place at the LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W, Bradenton, between July 27 and Aug. 1, aside from the ceremony for Manatee High School, which is holding a graduation at the campus stadium.
Southeast High School, July 27 at 9 a.m., LECOM Park.
Braden River High School, July 28 at 9 a.m., LECOM Park.
Manatee High School, July 28 at 8 p.m, Hawkins Stadium.
Lakewood Ranch High School, July 29 at 9 a.m., LECOM Park.
Palmetto High School, July 30 at 9 a.m., LECOM Park.
Bayshore High School, Aug. 1 at 9 a.m., LECOM Park.
“In addition to providing an outdoor arena that can accommodate a large crowd, LECOM Park’s assigned seating and ticketing system can assist in spacing guests for social distancing purposes,” the release continues.
Graduations were originally scheduled for mid-May at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, but the district postponed its ceremonies in late April, after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that schools would remain closed.
In late June, Superintendent Cynthia Saunders announced the move to LECOM Park, spring training home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and home field for their minor league affiliate, the Bradenton Marauders.
“With an increase in COVID-19 cases being reported in Manatee County and across Florida, the ability to accommodate crowds upwards of 2,000 people in an indoor setting while maintaining appropriate social distancing appears unfeasible,” the district said in its release.
On Monday, the Florida Department of Health reported 69 new cases of COVID-19 in Manatee County.
“Like everything associated with the COVID-19 crisis, we have had to be flexible and proactive to make sound and safe decisions that are in the best interests of everyone involved,” Saunders said in a prepared statement.
“There is no perfect time or venue for these ceremonies, but our ultimate goal is to give our graduates and their families the recognition they have earned for receiving their diplomas,” the superintendent continued.
This story was originally published July 6, 2020 at 11:43 AM.