OPI, BPE, MT-PEC Recommendations for Graduation Ceremonies and School Year-End Planning

For background, we have received dozens of reach-outs from school leaders asking for our opinions or guidance on how the remainder of the school year will proceed in light of the COIVD-19 outbreak. If the Governor's "Stay At Home" and "School Closure" orders are not extended through the remainder of the school year, of course, local districts are welcome to proceed however they would like as Montana is a local control state. However, we cannot imagine a scenario where social distancing will not be recommended or required in the months of May, June, or even further into the summer, making traditional graduation ceremonies and traditional moves back into classrooms unlikely.

DATE: April 9, 2020

TO: District and County Superintendents

FROM: The Office of Public Instruction

The Board of Public Education

The Montana Public Education Center

RE: Graduation and School Year-End Recommendations

Dear District and County Superintendents,

We are writing to offer guidance as you plan for school year-end activities including graduation ceremonies. At this time, the Governor is making public policy decisions in two-week timeframes based on the best available advice from public health officials. As school leaders, we know that you would like additional certainty in planning the rest of your academic year.

At this time, national health authorities are stating that social distancing recommendations will be in place at least through May and possibly into the summer. We can expect that even if the Governor's "Stay At Home" and "School Closure" directives are lifted after April 24th, that social distancing guidelines will still be recommended.

Therefore, we advise that you plan to continue your distance learning plans through the remainder of this school year and also plan to not hold large-scale in-person graduation ceremonies. We encourage you to postpone graduation ceremonies until later in the year or come up with alternative plans to honor your graduates, ensuring equity in recognition for all students, including special education students.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

Elsie Arntzen, Superintendent of Public Instruction

Darlene Schottle, Board of Public Education

Kirk Miller, School Administrators of Montana

Lance Melton, Montana School Boards Association

Dennis Parman, Montana Rural Education Association

Eric Feaver, Montana Federation of Public Employees

Dianne Burke, Montana Quality Education Coalition

Denise Williams, Montana Association of School Business Officials