Due to concerns about predicted downpours during Sweet Home High School graduation Friday night, school district administrators have decided to move it indoors.
“The graduation event team looks at the forecast all week,” said Supt. Tom Yahraes. “We pick a date in there when we make a decision to go in or out based on the forecast.”
The deadline was Thursday morning, Yahraes said. Members of the team looked at two or three different weather apps, which indicated a high likelihood of rain, and it showed a hard rain, with upward of three-quarters of an inch falling from 4 p.m. until the end of graduation.
According to current weather predictions, rain is expected to start falling in late afternoon Friday and continue through Saturday. Chances of significant rain during graduation are predicted at 90 percent.
The setup for graduation includes electrical components, speakers, microphones and more for a crowd of 2,000 people, Yahraes said. “We want graduation to be safe, comfortable and a celebration that’s enjoyable for families, students and staff.”
Graduation starts at 7 p.m. in the Sweet Home High School gymnasium.