CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A series of statements were released by Kanawha County leaders Saturday evening in an attempt to calm a firestorm that erupted after it was announced Friday that there would be no in-person high school graduation ceremonies later this month because of concerns expressed by the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department.
The plan was to have an all-day event where the eight county high schools would have ceremonies at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center but Kanawha-Charleston Health Department Executive Director Dr. Sherri Young expressed concern about the large gatherings and possible spread of COVID-19.
The Saturday evening statements were quick to point out Young was asked for her opinion but it was county school system officials who made the decision not to hold the ceremonies.
“The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department (KCHD) did not make the decision to cancel graduation ceremonies in Kanawha County, but advised of possible danger,” Kanawha County School Superintendent Ron Duerring said. “The
leadership of the Kanawha County Board of Education, after submitting a proposal that did not meet current health guidelines set forth by KCHD and the State of West Virginia, decided to hold all graduations virtually.”
MORE Read joint statements here
Duerring, who retires at the end of June, promised continued discussions in hopes of coming up with safe options.
“We will work in tandem with the City of Charleston, Kanawha County Commission and KCHD to look at creative solutions to hold graduation ceremonies for our students. We welcome all student, parent and teacher feedback to make sure these events are a success,” Duerring said.
Kanawha-Charleston Board of Health President Dr. Arthur Rubin issued a statement saying Young has worked tirelessly in connection with the pandemic for the last 80 days. He said she gives her professional opinion when asked and that’s what happened in the case of the graduations.
“When Dr. Young was asked, she gave her medical opinion and expressed concern because of crowd size but never instructed or ordered the board or any board of education officials on what actions to take,” Rubin said. “We sympathize with our graduates in these unforeseen circumstances and celebrate their accomplishments,” Rubin said. “We hope parents and the board of education find alternate ways to recognize their accomplishments.”
Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper backed Young.
“Dr. Young, Chief Health Officer for the Kanawha Charleston Health Department has worked throughout this pandemic to protect the safety of our community. I will continue to support her in the advice she gives regarding safe, alternative methods for graduation ceremonies for Kanawha County students,” Carper said.
Both Charleston Amy Shuler Goodwin and Kanawha County Commissioner Ben Salango pledged in separate statements to work with all groups involved to come up with a creative solution.
An online petition that supported having the commencements outside at Laidley Field in Charleston had nearly 2,000 signatures by Saturday evening.
Duerring said six of the counties eight high schools had already conducted drive-thru events with similar events scheduled for the other two in the weeks ahead.