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TO: Superintendent Paolo DeMaria
Cc: Governor Mike DeWine
FROM: State Senator Stephen A. Huffman
DATE: April 24, 2020
Superintendent DeMaria:
I am writing to express my disagreement with the email to the school
district superintendents in the State of Ohio that went out yesterday
titled, ‘Graduation and other end-of year recognition ceremonies’ from
the Ohio Department of Education. The email does not state if the
instructions in the email were from Mr. DeMaria, voted on by the State
Board of Education, decided upon by someone else at the Ohio Department
of Education or sent under the direction of Governor DeWine. The email
states, “congregate graduation ceremonies should not be held.” The
letter also goes on to explain why changing scheduled ceremonies to an
alternative date in July would not be recommended.
I have agreed with the need for social distancing and the directions of
the governor and Dr. Acton. What has been done so far has saved lives.
It appears that on May 1st, the State will enter phase one of our
reopening. We will be letting businesses come up with a plan that will
assure social distancing and maintaining a safe work environment. We
need to do the same concerning schools’ graduation ceremonies. We have
local superintendents and elected school boards that can come up with
individual plans on how to do this and what is right for their specific
community.
I and many others have been advocates of the State giving guidance on
educational issues to schools, but to allow local control on how to
implement this guidance. I believe this is another issue wherein the
State of Ohio needs to trust the decisions local officials make and let
them do what they think is the best way to have graduation while still
maintaining social distancing. The Class of 2020 has had to give up a
great deal that many consider to be the greatest time of their lives.
Graduation is celebration for students to share with their classmates,
many of whom have spent the past twelve years bonding together. For
many students, graduation is the last time they will see the majority
of their classmates. The Class of 2020 has had to forgo the winter
sports state finals, all spring sports, the senior prom, senior dance
and many other individual traditional events that each school
celebrates.
I would ask Mr. DeMaria and Governor DeWine to reconsider this
directive concerning graduation in Ohio. The governor can do what he
has done in other fields, such as with hospitals and manufacturing:
appoint a group of leaders (superintendents) from around the state to
come up with best practices and recommendations for all schools to
follow concerning graduations. Local school districts could decide not
to have graduation, follow the guidelines, or even put in place more
stringent guidelines to observe social distancing. Schools could also
decide to cancel graduation altogether or do it virtually if that is
what they feel is best for their school district. Students and families
can also exercise their individual rights and choose not to go to
graduation or attend the ceremony virtually.
It is time to let leaders in our local communities decide what is best
for their schools and give local control concerning graduation to the
superintendents and the local school boards. Thank you very much for
your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Stephen A. Huffman State Senator
5th District
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