But with the ceremony planned outdoors, the district is now worried about inclement weather.
Middletown’s Class of 2018 will receive their diplomas at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Barnitz Stadium. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the new Wade E. Miller Arena at the high school, according to George Long, business administrator for the schools.
“We know that so many family members and friends want to watch the ceremonies and the past venues have not been allowed us to accommodate all the people wanting to be there,” he said. “Having it at Barnitz should allow us to welcome everyone who wants to attend a good seat for graduations.”
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In addition, Middletown High School has partnered with the Stratford Heights Church of God in Middletown to provide live televised streaming coverage of the event. The church worked with the district to broadcast the final basketball game at the former Miller Gym and the first game at the new Miller Arena.
“It made sense to work with their media department to make such a special night able to watched by those not able to make it in person,” Long said.
The commencement ceremony will be streamed live on the church’s website, SHCOG.com.
If the decision is made to move graduation to the Miller Arena, seating will be limited and only those with tickets given out to the students will be allowed to attend, Long said, adding that there will be overflow seating in the new junior high building.
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Some parents were locked out of their child’s graduation last year at Princeton Pike Church of God because someone let people without tickets into a side door of the church, according to school officials, who issued an apology the next day.
Tickets for the exact number of seats available in the auditorium were issued, but once the auditorium was full some were not allowed to enter, even though they had tickets.
The Journal-News will continue to report on the location of graduation pending Tuesday’s weather. Visit www.Journal-News.com for the latest information or our Facebook and Twitter accounts.
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