Parents urge board to avoid scheduling graduation on state track meet; superintendent to verify dates
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Summary
Two public commenters asked Monongalia County Schools to move the proposed 2026–27 graduation date, saying it conflicts with the state track meet and forces student-athletes to choose. The superintendent said staff believe there is no conflict but will verify before finalizing the calendar.
Two parents asked the Monongalia County Board of Education on Feb. 10 to adjust the proposed 2026–27 calendar so high‑school graduation does not fall the same weekend as the state track meet.
"Graduation is a once in a lifetime moment for students and their families," Sarah Hawkins said during the board’s public hearing. "Asking them to miss one to attend the other sends the message that they can't fully be recognized for both." Hawkins urged the board to consider a small calendar adjustment to avoid the overlap.
Kara Esposito Gum, who identified herself as a parent of Morgantown High student‑athletes, made the same appeal and said the conflict would force some families to miss graduations because relatives would be traveling to the state meet. "It's simply not fair to have the kids choose between their senior year state track meet and their high school graduation," she said.
Superintendent (speaker 2) responded that district staff have reviewed the dates and believe the proposed graduation date does not conflict with next year’s state track meet, but said they will verify the calendar again before final approval. "That is my understanding that there is no conflict between our proposed graduation date and the state track date, but I will verify that," the superintendent said.
The board closed the public hearing and continued the agenda. The calendar will return to the board for action after the required hearings and final checks, and the superintendent’s office said it will notify the board if a conflict is confirmed.