JACKSON BOARD SETS NEW GRADUATION DATE

JACKSON, Mo. -- The Jackson High School graduation date will be pushed back one week to accommodate inclement weather makeup days, potential holiday travel plans for families, and a state track and field competition.

The last day of classes and graduation were originally scheduled to occur May 18, but the school calendar was extended by one week to make up four snow days missed so far this winter.

The Board of Education voted Tuesday to reschedule graduation for 7 p.m. May 27. Board members said they wanted to continue the tradition of holding commencement exercises at the high school football stadium if possible. School officials plan to reserve the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau as an alternate location in case of rain.

Schools Superintendent Dr. Ron Anderson said the graduation date will not change, even if classes are canceled due to more inclement weather. The school board wants to accommodate families who might have out-of-town family relatives attempting to make travel plans.

"If we lose more days we will pick them up somewhere else, but graduation it is a hard and fast date," Anderson said. "I think the board just wanted to be sensitive and make this as convenient as possible for the community and students."