Calendar moves graduation day to Friday in 2022

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook High School graduation next year will be on a Friday instead of a Sunday.

By a narrow 3 to 2 vote, the McCook School Board approved Monday night the 2021-22 school calendar with graduation on Friday, May 13, 2022. For many years, high school commencement has been on Mother’s Day in May.

The board had two calendar drafts to choose from, presented by Superintendent Grant Norgaard a month ago. Draft one placed graduation on Sunday, May 15, 2022, and draft two with graduation on Friday, May 13, 2022. Board members voting in favor of the Friday graduation were Dennis Berry, Tom Bredvick and Brad Hays.

Those voting against it were Loretta Hauxwell, who cited family time and travel and Teresa Thomas, who also mentioned lack of travel time on a Friday graduation. Board member Mike Langan was absent and excused due to a wrestling banquet

Norgaard said he heard favorable comments from the public this year when graduation was on a Friday this past July and the biggest complaint he heard was having graduation on Mother’s Day.

In creating the calendar drafts for next year, he included the Friday option, “if you feel comfortable making the change,” he told the board.

Board member Dennis Berry said whatever day the board chose for graduation, it wouldn’t please everyone, so “let’s pull the trigger and move on.”

Other items that required board action Monday night that the board unanimously approved were:

-The resignation/retirement of McCook Elementary teacher, Cassa Haney: Hauxwell, Thomas and Bredvick noted positive instances their own children had with Haney through the years. “She made school a great place for kids,” Hauxwell said. Haney has been a teacher for 31 years, with 20 years at McCook Public Schools.

-Approved the McCook High School assistant principal contract for Jake Curl at $82,000. Norgaard said Craig Dickes, current assistant principal who will be principal next year, led the committee on the selection process. The committee included Jeff Gross, the current principal who will be the school district business manager next year, activities director, Darrin Nichols and Dickes. High school staff were also surveyed as part of the process, Norgaard said. Candidates included two from outside the district, he said, for a total of four “really good people, all of whom could have been hired.”

-The $1,894 donation from MNB debit cards, with board member Tom Bredvick abstaining. Bredvick is vice president and chief financial officer at MNB.