M'town Graduation 2012 Venue Change

On the subject of in the Middletown school district this year, a little more change is in the wings.

After many years of consistency in venues, the locations for both high and middle school commencement ceremonies were switched last year.

And, this year, the place for middle school graduations will change once again.

For the first time, the students of , and middle schools will graduate at different times (yet to be determined) on June 15 at .

The venue was the original place plan for last year’s middle school graduations, but then-Interim Superintendent Thomas Pagano had decided that was a better place for the .

Pagano had cited that he ultimately opted for the then to be sure to accommodate the and ensure better air conditioning accommodations.

Both the and South high school graduations will be held, for the second year, at Monmouth University on June 14.

Last year, the decision was made to switch from the longtime high school graduation venue of the PNC Bank Arts Center to the university’s Multipurpose Activity Center (MAC) on its West Long Branch campus.

The reasons for the change were cited as improved comfort and cost issues. Pagano had said that the price is much lower for using the MAC facility and it is climate controlled. 

The PNC Bank Arts Center seats 7,000 and is an open-air facility. So, in the event of rain, about 2,000 of those seats are not shielded.

Monmouth’s MAC Center opened in 2009 and seats 4,100 people. It has a 200-meter, six-lane indoor track.