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Parent faults rain-soaked graduation; board sets 2027 schedule after debate
Summary
A Monongalia County parent said last month’s torrential downpour ruined a University High School graduation and urged clearer rain‑date policy. The board debated faculty and family needs and voted to set 2027 graduations: Clay‑Battelle Friday May 27 (5:00 p.m.), University High Friday May 27 (7:30 p.m.), Morgantown High Saturday May 28 (10:00 a.m.).
Patrick Greig, a parent of a University High School Class of 2026 graduate, told the Monongalia County Board of Education on June 23 that last month’s graduation, held during a torrential downpour, was “unacceptable” and the result of failures in communication and planning. “To this day, no clear explanation has been provided as to why the rain date was not used,” Greig said, urging the board to adopt and communicate a clear policy on rain dates.
The complaint came during public comment and prompted an extended discussion among board members and Superintendent Eddie Campbell about how graduations are scheduled. Campbell said principals and Local School Improvement Councils (LSICs) met and overwhelmingly recommended the dates and times he proposed. He noted the district must have dates firmed before July 1 to meet state timeline requirements and said WVU had agreed to host the ceremonies at no cost.
Board members raised concerns about Thursday evening graduations limiting family attendance during a holiday weekend, and about repeating problems experienced this year when University High’s ceremony was uncomfortable for attendees. Several members said they preferred scheduling two ceremonies Friday and one on Saturday to maximize family participation. After discussion, the superintendent revised his recommendation. The board voted to: keep the MTEC certificate ceremony on Wednesday; schedule Clay‑Battelle’s graduation for Friday, May 27, at 5:00 p.m.; University High for Friday, May 27, at 7:30 p.m.; and Morgantown High for Saturday, May 28, at 10:00 a.m. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
Greig had urged that if the board intends to hold outdoor graduations on set dates “come rain or shine,” the district should adopt that policy explicitly; otherwise the board should use the rain date. The board acknowledged the shortcomings from this year’s ceremonies and said it is working to prevent a recurrence. “We were uncomfortable, too. We get it,” the superintendent said, thanking attendees and noting the district is trying to fix the process for future graduations.
Next procedural steps: the dates and approximate times were set by board motion; the superintendent said times could be adjusted by a half hour if needed. The board did not adopt a formal, written rain‑date policy at the June 23 meeting.
