By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson USD 308 will make the decision about whether Sunday's graduation is inside or outside later this week.
"Depending on which tea leaves you look at, we have anywhere from a not chance of rain to a 60% chance on Sunday," said spokesperson Ray Hemman. "It gets very complicated. We're very blessed to have a great maintenance crew. The stage and the chairs that Buhler will use on Saturday in the Sports Arena are our facilities. We either have to leave those in place in the Sports Arena or our crews have to then move them to Gowans Saturday afternoon and Sunday."
The intent of having the ceremony scheduled for Gowans Stadium was to be able to allow for more attendance due to different social distancing outside than inside. Regardless, Superintendent Mike Folks is proud of the resilience of the Class of 2021.
"It's been a tumultuous, you know, almost two years now during the pandemic," Folks said. "They have shown a lot of grit and determination and stayed with us. Since we've been back in session full time, it has been an opportunity for some normalcy. We hope that, as we have the celebration on Sunday, it's another opportunity for a normal event."
Each graduate will be allowed eight guests. The district will also be live streaming the ceremony for those that cannot attend or are medically compromised. Graduates need to be at the Salthawk Activity Center on Sunday, May 23, by 1:15 p.m. to get lined up.
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