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BELLEFONTE -- Although restrictions throughout the state of Pennsylvania are lifted beginning Monday, May 31, the Bellefonte Area School District is standing pat.
At Tuesday night's Bellefonte school board meeting, superintendent Tammie Burnaford said that the district is sticking with its plans for limited graduation attendance. According to Burnaford, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf lifting restrictions doesn't change things for the district as it is tied to what the Department of Education's interpretation of the governor's ruling.
"Last week whenever Gov. Wolf lifted the restrictions, what has not come is the PDE interpretation of that … there are so many questions hanging out there," Burnaford said.
Beginning Monday, May 17, occupancy limits in the Commonwealth will be increased to 50 percent capacity for indoor events, up from 25 percent and at 75 percent for outdoor events, up from 50 percent. On Monday, May 31, all restrictions come off the board, with the exception of masking. Once Pennsylvania has 70 percent of its residents vaccinated, the mask mandate will be lifted.
Burnaford said that there has been no clarity about social distancing, however.
"We could have 50 percent of capacity in this room because it's an indoor gathering. However, what we do need clarity about is do we still need to have six feet? Because in our health and safety plan, we are required to have six feet … our health and safety plan has not been revised since last fall," Burnaford said.
She said the lack of guidance from PDE has limited what the district can and cannot do.
"That's what's putting a damper on so many of these end-of-year events," Burnaford said.
Burnaford said that she's gotten inquiries from parents about everything from fifth- and eighth-grade promotions to award ceremonies and even recess.
"We've already had parents inquire about kids being able to play with each other those last couple days of school. And I would love to say 'they can,' but, again, in the health and safety plan, we say they can only play with their classmates," Burnaford said.
Earlier in the meeting, senior student representative Rianna Morris questioned the board about rumors circulating throughout the district that graduation would be taken away from the Class of 2021 and it would be forced to take part in the "drive through" ceremony that the district employed last year.
"There has been a high amount of concern regarding our graduation as we were told that there's a chance it could be taken from us," Morris said. "Seniors have worked tirelessly to get to this point and we're really looking forward to hosting the first graduation on the new field … we're just trying to push for having it out on the field and having a normal graduation."
Burnaford said that graduation will be held at the stadium on Thursday, June 3 with a rain date of Friday, June 4. She addressed the rumors that graduation would be taken away from the seniors as well.
"I'm not sure where that is coming from," Burnaford said.
Each family will be given six tickets to the graduation ceremony, she said. Those attending will be required to wear masks and social distance.
The district will also offer the "drive through" ceremony for those families who do not feel comfortable attending the traditional ceremony.
NATIVE AMERICAN IMAGERY UPDATE
Following the school board's decision to remove all Native American imagery from the district's buildings within one year, Burnaford said the following statement information was shared with district staff last week:
"Teachers clearing their classrooms of all PSSA and Keystone information, and packing up their classrooms for the summer should remove any items (signs, posters, flags, magnets, etc.) that have the Native American imagery. As we begin cleaning the open spaces, such as hallways, cafeterias, etc. this summer, again, all Native American imagery must be removed. For now, please remove any items with the Native American imagery that are easily removed, as we end the school year."
She she said that she and several staff members have begun to inventory all of the larger or more difficult items that have Native American imagery. She said the district will work "work toward removing these items over the months and year and the associated costs will be shared with the board."
For example, the rock in front of the high school that reads "Home of the Red Raiders" will be difficult to remove.
"It's concreted down into the ground. It's going to take a backhoe to get it out of there," Burnaford said, "so that's something that's going to have to wait."
Bellefonte school board will meet again at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25. The meeting is closed to the public, but accessible through the district's website.