The announcement so many in the Class of 2020 have been waiting for and their families.  Governor Doug Burgum in his press conference said that schools will be able to proceed with graduation.  Superintendent of public instruction in North Dakota, Kirsten Baesler announced the governors North Dakota Smart restart graduation plan.

Each school district will decide if a graduation ceremony will be held or if it can be held in their city.  While respecting recommended guidelines for social distancing as per the North Dakota Board of Health and the CDC.

Individual schools districts, school boards & superintendents will decided if their school can have a graduation and what type of graduation they might have.  Different graduation plans include from the highest risk to the lowest risk.  They include a virtual graduation, live stream graduation, drive-in graduation, graduation parade, outdoor field graduation, multiple graduation ceremony with smaller portions of the class and and graduation in larger arenas or auditoriums.

All persons at high risk for COVID-19 are asked NOT to attend these graduation events.  If a big outbreak were to occur in a community prior to graduation, the state health officer or Governor Burgum could suspend the graduation plans.

The governor has made an amendment to his order to allow graduation to take place at the schools if they should decide.  However, with stipulations.  Proper social distancing, cleaning and other safety precautions.

School districts may want to do multiple forms of graduations plans.  There will also be a statewide virtual graduation ceremony celebration planned for the class of 2020.

BPS is meeting Thursday night to decide what type of graduation they will do for Bismarck seniors.  Stay tuned for that announcement.

More From Cool 98.7 FM