Navigation Jacksonville school district reacts to threat over relocating graduation ceremonies away from churches
After researching the use of religious facilities for school graduations, the Duval County Public School district said it had concluded that such facilities should not be used for official school functions.
“It came to our attention recently that some families’ religious beliefs would prevent them from participating in a school-sponsored event held in a religious facility,” said Tracy Pierce, chief of marketing and public relations for DCPS.
As a result, several schools including Chets Creek Elementary School, Hendricks Avenue Elementary School, and Holiday Hill Elementary School suddenly canceled their school graduations at Chets Creek Church, Southside United Methodist Church, and Holiday Hill Church, respectively this year.
