NV R-IV graduates allowed up to 10 guests Saturday

Seniors with the Neelyville R-IV School District can bring up to 10 guests to Saturday’s graduation rather than the original six.

Superintendent Debra Parish said she discussed board members’ concerns about the six guest limit with Butler County Health Department officials after the May school board meeting.

During the May meeting, board members said they prefer at least 10 guests per graduate and discussed not limiting the number at all.

At Thursday’s meeting, board members expressed satisfaction with the change to 10 tickets.

The new plan is similar to the old one. Parish said the district will still set up six seats in groups on the floor of the gym. The other four guests per graduate will be up in the bleachers.

There will be spaces between each group in both situations so that each group can socially distance from each other.

Prior to the ceremony, the 32 graduates will be in groups of four in different classrooms with an adult.

There will still be a staggered entrance and hold-harmless forms for those in attendance as the district previously discussed. Attendees are asked to sign the forms.

Graduation will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday. Earlier in the day, kindergarten graduates will take part in a parade through the district that will leave the Neelyville campus at 10:30 a.m.

Senior graduation will be streamed on the district’s website for those unable to attend.