Burnet graduation moved to gym due to field renovations
JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
BURNET — Upcoming renovations of the turf and track at Bulldog Field have forced officials to move the 2015 Burnet High School graduation, set for May 29, to the school’s gymnasium.
Officials at Burnet Consolidated Independent School District released a statement on the decision March 25.
“This decision was not made lightly,” it read. “History and tradition are important factors to us all, and change is never easy. Conversations have been held with students, parents, school board members and school administration.”
The statement was written by Superintendent Keith McBurnett and Burnet High School Principal Mark Kincaid.
Each graduate will be given eight tickets for priority seating inside the gymnasium. The graduate will choose who receives a ticket.
Non-ticketed open seating will be available at the Burnet High School auditorium so attendees can watch a simulcast of the ceremony that will include video and audio. Families can reunite in the central courtyard after graduation proceedings.
In its statement, BCISD officials said plans at Bulldog Field call for three feet of soil to be excavated from the middle of the field. The concern, the statement continued, is the possibility of dust or mud if it rains. And because of the necessary work and machinery, much of the stadium parking will be unavailable, the statement read.
Officials had been aware of the tight timeline after voters approved a bond in November that included improvements to the district’s football stadium.
BCISD board members approved entering into a contract with Symmetry Turf on March 23.
Construction is scheduled to begin April 20, four days after the District 25-4A track-and-field meet concludes, which ends the regular season for athletes.
Some parents of graduating seniors are expressing their disappointment, and several have met with BCISD staff members over the change.
jfierro@thepicayune.com