Graduation comes home

Graduation ceremonies for Pea Ridge High School will return to Pea Ridge thanks to action Monday night by the Pea Ridge School Board.

Board members approved a recommendation by superintendent Rick Neal to approve a rotational schedule for graduation in case of inclement weather.

Graduation is set for 10 a.m. Saturday, May 16, in Blackhawk Stadium.

In case of rain, it will be at 1 p.m. or 6 p.m. or on Sunday at 3 p.m., according to the rotational schedule.

"I wanted this," Sandy Button, board member, said.

"What about seating?" Ann Cato, board president, asked. "And what has this cost" when held at the University of Arkansas.

Neal said the school district paid $3,500 to lease the facilities at the UofA and another $800-$1,000 for sound. He said bleachers on the home side seat 1,650 people and more seating can be brought in for graduation providing about 2,000 seats.

"It will still cost a money and a lot of hard work," Button said.

"It needs to be here," Neal said.

Neal, who was principal at Pea Ridge High School before being named superintendent, said it has been at least 10 years that the graduation ceremonies have been held in Fayetteville. He said it was held in Rogers for several years before that.

General News on 09/24/2014