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Though it appeared apparent Monday afternoon to some that there would be a special-called meeting of the Sumter school board to hear high school seniors' thoughts on graduation ceremonies, it turns out there won't be one.
After a two-plus-hour executive session behind closed doors Monday night, Sumter School District's Board of Trustees returned to open session about 9:10 p.m. and in a split 6-3 vote turned down a motion to rescind suspension of public participation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If seniors' current concerns against planned virtual commencement ceremonies were to be formally heard by the full board, it would have to be during a public participation session.
However, at their April board meeting upon the advice from the state school board association in Columbia, the trustees temporarily suspended public participation during meetings for the duration of the pandemic.
So, to hear from seniors, it would require the board to rescind that suspension and then schedule a special-called meeting just for public comments from seniors and also for any other members of the public who wished to address the board on any matters - just like a regular public participation session at a board meeting.
But, because the motion to rescind suspension of public participation failed Monday, no such meeting will take place. Those voting in favor of the motion included trustees Sherril Ray, Matthew "Mac" McLeod and Johnny Hilton. The six board members who turned down the motion included board Chairman the Rev. Ralph Canty, Brian Alston, Frank Baker, Barbara Jackson, Daryl McGhaney and Shawn Ragin.
Canty said after the meeting the majority didn't want to break from the state school board association's recommendation.
"In thinking about it, we all remembered that the action we took was recommended by the school boards association," Canty said, "and to protect ourselves from any other groups that may come back and request a public hearing, it was best not to reverse that during the pandemic crisis. We are going to let it stay like it is until this crisis is over."
Canty said the full board didn't get into a discussion on graduation ceremonies Monday night because the item was not specifically listed on the meeting agenda.
He did say the consensus of the board is to allow Superintendent Penelope Martin-Knox and her administration to make the decisions necessary in the best interest of the district's students and community.
On Tuesday, district administration released a letter saying it would be adding a cap-and-gown video supplement for each senior to each high school's virtual online graduation ceremony.
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May 13, 2020 at 07:10AM
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Sumter School District board's split vote keeps public participation suspended in pandemic - Sumter Item
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