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BASD seniors to get 6 tickets for graduation

By CHRIS MORELLI

cmorelli@lockhaven.com

BELLEFONTE — Details for graduation at Bellefonte Area High School were released at the school board meeting on Wednesday night.

High school principal Michael Fedison gave a brief presentation about graduation, which has been moved indoors despite pleas from parents and student groups to hold the ceremony outside at Rogers Stadium. Graduation will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 7 inside the high school gymnasium.

According to Fedison, each student will receive six tickets to the ceremony.

“We’re basically dividing the number of seats by the number of students,” Fedison said.

There are approximately 221 students in Bellefonte’s Class of 2019, he said.

“Some students will choose not to participate, so that (number) will change slightly,” Fedison said. “That’s a pretty solid number.”

There will be overflow seating in the high school cafeteria and televisions will be set up so those seated in the cafeteria can watch it live. Those who cannot make it to the high school can watch graduation live on C-NET. C-NET is available from local cable providers or at cnet.org.

Parking will be available in the high school parking lots. Overflow parking will be available across the street from the high school, Fedison said.

“We have talked with Weis Markets, which owns the M&T Bank and Mount Nittany building. When (their workday) ends, they’ve allowed us to use their lots for parking. We’re also reaching out to PennDOT and some other places to help alleviate things so those who need closer parking have that availability,” Fedison said.

As far as construction at Rogers Stadium is concerned, the board got an update on Wednesday night.

David Stezin, project manager of Reynolds Construction, said that Phase II will continue throughout the summer months.

“Our hope is that the weather will continue to cooperate and that will allow us to complete the majority of the exterior work by the end of June. As you will see reflected on the schedule, we are right where we need to be to complete this project as intended,” Stezin said.

Stezin said that Phase II includes work on a ticket booth, entrance gate, restrooms, concession stands and fieldhouses. The project is expected to be completed by July 26.

“Things are looking very good,” Stezin said.

At the previous board meeting on May 7, superintendent Michelle Saylor said that the stadium would be ready for the football team’s season opener on Friday, Aug. 30.

“With this type of construction – even if it’s a rainy season – it doesn’t make as much of an impact as it did when we were laying the turf. They’ll have those foundations set and they’ll be building,” Saylor said.

In other business on Wednesday, the board:

∫ Heard the 2019-2020 budget presentation from Ken Bean. The proposed budget includes a 2.8 percent tax increase. Bean said that the budget will need to be approved by the end of June.

∫ Approved a PSPA Policy Review at a cost of $10,550.

∫ Accepted the retirement of Paul DeMille from the position of technology support manager. His retirement is effective on June 1. DeMille has been with the district since August 2001.

∫ Approved Terry Baumgardner as an assistant varsity football coach at a rate of $4,714.20.

The board will meet again on Tuesday, June 11.

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