School Board approves 2026 graduation ceremony date, locations

As the end of the school year draws near, the Christian County School Board approved a commencement date for graduating seniors and revised the proof of residency requirements for high school students at Thursday’s meeting.

Director of Pupil Personnel Melanie Barrett requested that the 2026 graduation ceremonies be hosted on May 22 at each high school’s gymnasium. Christian County High School seniors will graduate at 5 p.m., and Hopkinsville High School seniors will graduate at 8:30 p.m.

According to a Christian County Public Schools news release, hosting the graduations in each school’s gymnasium is a way to honor the proud, long-standing traditions of both schools and allows the final graduating classes to celebrate this milestone.

The consolidated Christian County High School is set to open in August, and construction continues on schedule. Since there will only be one high school attendance zone once the school opens, Barrett requested that the requirements for guardians to provide proof of residency be reduced to just a driver’s license or a Kentucky ID.

During the All-In recognitions, Ken Carver, the executive principal of the new CCHS, spotlighted Mindy Crider, Natalie Allen, Allison Gamblin, Stacy Crick, Keisha Benson, Natalie Riggs, Lyssa Vowell, and Brandi Lovely, who will serve as counselors at the new school. Carver recognized them, creating the school’s master schedule while still completing the duties of their current positions.

To conclude the meeting, board members approved the high school’s master bell schedule.