Local districts are seeking student feedback when it comes to making decisions about the fate of graduation for the Class of 2020.

The commencement ceremony, as well as plans for summer school, were among the topics discussed during the Wright City R-II monthly board meeting on April 16. Both R-II and Warren County R-III are taking measures to ensure students don’t miss out on important elements of their education experience.

“The class officers met virtually and talked about it,” said R-II Superintendent Dr. David Buck. “We wanted their input on this, because the seniors are those who were impacted so much by the COVID-19 situation.”

As it stands, Wright City’s graduation is scheduled for May 22. Buck says the district hopes to make a determination by May 4 whether or not to move forward with that original date.

“The students preferred June over July, if we’re not able to have it in May,” said Buck. “If we’re not able to have a traditional graduation, they preferred a drive-thru style graduation.”

With an originally scheduled graduation date of May 30, R-III is delaying its decision-making until the May 14 board meeting.

“We’re in a little different situation with a later date than we usually have,” said Superintendent Dr. Gregg Klinginsmith. “We’ve been considering our options, but there’s so much that could change between now and then.”

Klinginsmith says R-III has also been seeking input from the student body. The district is still optimistic annual junior and senior events will happen as soon as possible, even if they occur in June or July.

“Our goal would be to have a traditional graduation, but we just don’t know if large crowds will be allowed to gather any time soon,” said Klinginsmith.

Typically, for prom, districts rent venues and there is much pre-planning involved. In the case of a summer prom, the event would likely be held in the school gymnasium with less of the structured approach than usual.

Concerning summer school, both districts are entertaining the idea of hosting it as late as July. Klinginsmith says he would like to continue as planned if possible.

“Right now were supposed to start May 27,” said Klinginsmith. “If we’re clear to start that day, we will. If not, we’ll push it back.”

As for Wright City, Buck says moving the date to July would improve the likelihood of getting to host summer school in person. While virtual learning would be an option, as is taking place now, he believes getting students back into the classroom in July, as opposed to late August for regular session, would be beneficial.

“We see summer school as a chance to lessen the gap we’re creating by not having school right now,” said Buck. “We’re coming up with different ways built upon what we’re doing now, with a little lighter expectations on some things.”

Originally, districts had to take the Warren County Fair dates into account when rescheduling. However, with the fair having been cancelled last week, that barrier no longer exists.

Buck, who is part of a statewide summer school task force, says Wright City will need to make decisions in advance to allow for hiring of necessary staff.

“We’ll have to know about May 20 what the plan looks like, because we’ll have to prepare staff,” said Buck. “We would need to know by end of May that in July we’ll have 800 people congregating in the school buildings.”