Horry County Schools backtracks on virtual graduations, which are ‘absolute last resort’
Horry County Schools is now considering all potential options for holding in-person graduation ceremonies after receiving overwhelming pushback from the announcement that they would be conducted virtually.
Superintendent Rick Maxey announced in a video message Wednesday that the Class of 2020 would be celebrated virtually with ceremonies pre-recorded and posted to each school’s website.
The video was posted the same day South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced that public school closures, which have been ongoing due to coronavirus since March 16, would continue through the rest of the school year.
By Thursday evening, the district backtracked on that decision, announcing that other options such as the use of football stadiums or other venues that would allow for social distancing, or just postponing the ceremony, are also being considered.
HCS Board Chairman Ken Richardson said he received more than 500 emails and phone calls Thursday from parents and students upset about the virtual graduation plan, and that’s not counting text messages or social media posts.
“I received my first call (about the decision) at 6:30 (a.m.) and was still on the phone at 10 (p.m.),” he said.
Richardson said that virtual graduation ceremonies are being considered as an “absolute last resort” right now, and they’re open to any good ideas for how to celebrate these seniors’ accomplishments without violating federal and state guidelines aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19.
He said a group of doctors even offered to be on site and check students’ temperatures before going on stage.
“We’re flexible,” Richardson said, noting that each high school’s ceremony may look different because distancing might be easier for a school like Green Sea Floyds High School than North Myrtle Beach School due to the amount of students.
This story was originally published April 24, 2020 at 2:09 PM.
