School officials said they have received a number of calls about the changing of the high school graduation from an evening event to a morning one. Graduation is slated for May 21 at 9 a.m.
Mary Evans, vice chairman of the Scotland County School Board, told her fellow board members Monday that the public had a poor understanding of why the change was needed.
School officials have said that the new time would allow athletes to compete in state finals scheduled by the North Carolina High School Association. That conflict was caused by Scotland's high school schedule being adjusted to conform with the calendar for Richmond Community College because of Scotland Early College.
"I think if we get a good explanation out there, they'll understand," Evans said.
Superintendent Rick Stout said administrators were concerned students would have to chose between being a Fighting Scot on the sports field or a Scotland High School graduate walking across the stage at graduation.
"Friday morning may not be the best time to have it, but we had to avoid conflict," Stout said.
He offered to talk to the employers of anyone having difficulties getting out of work to watch their children graduate. There are 358 seniors expected to graduate, school officials reported.
School officials did not let a group opposed to the change speak publicly at the Monday board meeting. Chairman Jimmy Bennett said the public has to make a formal request to address the board.
The requirement did not stop some from talking to reporters.
"Everybody's against this," said Wesley Locklear, an 18-year-old who finished at Scotland High School in December and graduates in May.
Locklear said administrators are putting athletics before academics.
"It's inconvenient for the graduates, their parents and their friends," Locklear said. "The students didn't vote. The parents didn't vote... All that is important is sports."
Locklear said he also took issue with school officials using safety as a reason since a Saturday morning graduation would also address any potential safety issues from people driving at night while allowing those who work to get time off.
Locklear started a petition, which he says has garnered 134 signatures from seniors who oppose the time, preferring a night graduation.
Vernicetine Penny, the parent of a graduating senior, said she was upset about the change because it may keep relatives who live across the country from watching her daughter graduate.
Stout reiterated that this situation, which could prevent family members from watching a student graduating, is still better than having students choose between being at their graduation and playing in a championship game.
School spokesman Andy Cagle said only a handful of people have called his office with concerns, and they were all immediately after the new graduation time was announced.
"We looked at the available dates and times and that was the best time for graduation," Cagle said. "Is it ideal? No, but it was the best option we had."
School board member Charles Brown asked if students in other Scotland County schools would be excused from class to watch siblings graduate as the elementary and middle schools still have a normal calendar.
Stout said those arrangements had been made.
Budget amendment
The school board unanimously approved a budget amendment that took into account, among other things, a drop in stimulus funding of $1.3 million.
While the sum is large, Finance Officer Tony Messer said the budget change will not be seen in the classroom as the figure has only ever existed on paper.
The N.C. DPI accidentally duplicated some data while distributing stimulus funds, showing an incorrect number for many school systems across the state. The money had never been allocated, however, as the expenditures were also duplicated.
Messer said the mistake had been caught months ago, but only now could come before the board as there are specific meetings when the finance officer may request a budget amendment and this has been his first opportunity to the board.
The state also adjusted its teacher allotment formula, resulting in Scotland being stripped of two more teaching positions. There are now 301 teachers working for the school system, whereas there were 312 at the beginning of the fiscal year.
The school board also:
• Set a board retreat for Feb 25 from 4 to 8 p.m.
• Recognized Andrew Nemeth for winning the Scotland County Spelling Bee.
• Presented an initial draft of the 2010-2011 school year calendar for the high school. Graduation had not yet been set in the calendar, with suggestions of 9 a.m. on either Saturday, May 21, 2011 or Monday, May 23, 2011.
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