Shelbyville's Class of 2026 graduation ceremony moved to McKeand Stadium

Shelbyville Central Schools’ administration has had discussions about moving graduation ceremonies outdoors to J.M. McKeand Stadium.

Renovation projects in and around William L. Garrett Gymnasium will make that idea a reality for the Class of 2026.

SCS Superintendent Dr. Matt Vance and Shelbyville High School Principal Amy Dawson recently met with a group of student leaders last week to discuss what an outdoor graduation ceremony will look like in May.

Garrett Gymnasium will not be available for use in the spring due to ongoing construction projects meaning logistics are needed to move the ceremony to an outdoor setting.

Graduation is currently scheduled for May 22 at 7 p.m.

Vance mentioned the venue change for graduation at Monday’s SCS board meeting as the calendar for the 2026-2027 school year was being finalized.

Vance admits he likes the idea of an outdoor graduation ceremony. How well the 2026 ceremony goes could determine if it remains outdoors or returns to Garrett Gymnasium for the Class of 2027.

In other board business Monday:

• Approved a conflict of interest disclosure statement from newest board member Dr. Julie Ruschhaupt. Her husband, John, is a systems manager in the IT department for SCS.
• Approved the donation of three decommissioned school buses to Sugar Creek Township Fire Department for training exercises.
• Awarded the bid for a roofing project at Thomas A. Hendricks Elementary School to Wabash Valley. The bid was for $488,600. No start date for the roof work has been announced.

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