Schools

Board of Ed Hopes for Big Turnout for Rescheduled Ribbon Cutting

Ceremony was canceled due to a storm and has been rescheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Members of the Springfield Board of Education said Monday that they hope to see a similarly large crowd in attendance Friday night for the rescheduled ribbon cutting ceremony at Jonathan Dayton High School's new athletic complex, after a storm sent fans and athletes home early Thursday.

Board members commended the Springfield police department and school administrators whom they said were both "organized and friendly" as they ushered spectators off the bleachers at the first sign of lightning. The Board noted that everyone "worked together as a team" for the safety of the crowd and thanked athletic director Lance Jacobs for coordinating with the Bernards High School team to reschedule the game for the following afternoon. 

Even with a 4 p.m. kick off ahead of a religious holiday, the stands were filled Friday afternoon, members noted, adding that they hope the same will be true of this Friday's festivities. 

Springfield School Superintendent Michael Davino said he received numerous compliments on the complex and the Board agreed it was great to see so many young families as well as those who have not had children in the school system for decades come out for the ceremony and football game.

Davino, in stressing that while the ribbon cutting ceremony would be a nice "15- to 20-minute exercise," said the focus should remain on the game. He added that while he'd fielded many inquiries about "expanding the invitation" to additional athletes who had hoped to be on the field, the decision has been made to keep it as it was originally, with Dayton's uniformed athletes who play fall sports on the turf.

Davino said due to the logistics of getting those players assembled under the time constraints, the decision was the most appropriate.  

Board member Jacqueline Shanes suggested that the Board speak with Jacobs about listing the sports teams' schedules in an easy-to-find place on the school's website so fans could come out and cheer for the athletes. 

Friday's ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will precede the 7 p.m. football game in which Dayton faces Bound Brook.

The Board will meet next at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct, 7 in the media center at JDHS. Videos of meetings are posted on the website, typically within 24 hours, depending on the length of the meeting. 


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