The district mailed a letter to residents Friday that the venue had been changed after a "credible threat aimed at the graduation ceremonies" was received, district officials said Friday in an emailed statement to The Daily Voice. The ceremony is now scheduled for 2 p.m. June 23 at the Peekskill Center For The Arts.
"We had received a credible threat aimed at the graduation ceremonies and that threat has been addressed by the Peekskill City Police Department," Superintendent Jim Willis said in the letter. "Several discussions have been held between the Superintendent, the Board of Education, the Chief of Police, the District’s head of security and city police. Based upon the recommendation of the police and after great deliberations, the decision has been made to move the graduation site from the high school parade field to the Paramount Theater."
Willis said the move was made for "precaution and safety."
"We have every confidence in our security staff and the Peekskill City Police that these wonderful graduation ceremonies will take place without incident," he said in the letter. "We all recognize the longstanding history of the outdoor high school location for graduation, but in today's society, we also know that taking precautionary steps to ensure safety is the wise thing."
Willis noted that more details on the change of venue could be obtained on the district's website. Some details include each student receiving four tickets for admission to the ceremony, seating will be on a first come-first seated basis, additional security will be available at the event and doors are scheduled to open at 1 p.m. with the ceremony beginning at 2 p.m., school officials said.
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