Graduation ceremonies at Arroyo Grande High School likely won’t be held in the stadium this year.
Jim Empey, assistant superintendent of business services for the Lucia Mar Unified School District, says the change is due to a delay on stadium work the district originally thought would be done before June.
“When we submitted the stadium plans to the DSA (Division of State Architects) back in October we were confident we would receive approval in time to have the stadium work completed by early June,” Empey said. “Unfortunately there have been delays out of our control at the DSA.”
The stadium work includes all-weather tracks, bleachers, restrooms, concessions, press boxes and ADA-compliant access.
“All bleacher construction of this type has been held back statewide for extra scrutiny,” Empey said.
Due to the delays, graduation will likely be held on the athletic field just south of the stadium, according to Empey. Portable bleachers, staging and sound systems will be brought in and parking for those with special needs and shuttles will be available.
“Our priority is to have graduation be a great event for our students and families,” Empey said. “Students will have their graduation ceremony at their school and there will not be a limit on how many family members and friends can attend.”
Empey says delaying the work until after graduation is not an option as it would likely make the stadium unusable during most of the fall semester.
Work is also happening at Nipomo High School, but Empey says they expect to finish everything there but the bleachers in time for graduation and will bring in portable bleachers for the ceremony. If for some reason they are not able to use the stadium, Empey says graduation will take place somewhere else on campus.
“The Lucia Mar community is supportive, proud and resilient. Our graduation ceremonies at NHS and AGHS will be different this year, but as always a great occasion,” Empey says.
Arroyo Grande High School’s graduation is set for Thursday, June 6, at 5 p.m. Nipomo High School’s graduation will take place the following day, June 7, at 5 p.m.
