A closed graduation planned for June 6

DAYTON-Graduation is set for the original date of June 6, 2020 at 1 p.m. as voted on by the seniors. The closed to the public ceremony will be held on the front lawn of the high school. To follow group size and distancing requirements, graduation will be offered through Facebook Live. Seniors will gather with their families in vehicles and the ceremony will be broadcast by speakers. Each senior will come forward to receive their diploma and before they return to their vehicle, they will have a photo taken. One additional family vehicle is allowed per senior. The ceremony will be followed by a short car parade. High school principal, Kristina Brown worked to have these plans approved by the local health department and Mayor Zac Weatherford. More details will be released soon and the plans are subject to change depending on COVID guidelines at the time of graduation.

The Dayton School District is anticipating future guidelines for schools reopening in the fall with some options for decisions to make locally. The governor has a state working group preparing guidelines to be released sometime in the week of June 8-12. Superintendent Doug Johnson stated that "Optimism is needed to find workable solutions to the issues related to COVID in our school world."

Johnson also reported that teachers have continued to provide excellent learning opportunities for their students and said "Many have gone above expectations and can certainly be viewed as heroic through the eyes of students and parents." The challenge continues to have more student engagement. The last day of school is June 16, with the last day for the meal program on June 19.

The Dayton School Board met for their May meeting. Much discussion was centered around the current and possible future response to COVID-19 in the schools.