Threat Prompts Peekskill City Schools to Change Graduation Venue

A "credible threat" has prompted the Peekskill City School District to call off the graduation ceremony at the parade field and instead hold commencement at the Paramount Theatre, the administration said Friday.

"This decision was made after a 'credible threat aimed at the graduation ceremonies' was received," the district said in a press release Friday. 

A statement from Superintendent James Willis—which notes that the Peekskill Police Department has addressed the threat—is posted on the district's website.

"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," Willis said. "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."

"This move is one of precaution and safety," the statement reads. "We have every confidence in our security staff and the Peekskill city police that these wonderful graduation ceremonies will take place without incident. 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."

Each student will still receive four tickets. If students do not need all four, they are encouraged to turn them in so a peer with a larger group can use them.

The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m., and the doors will open at 1. Seating will be first-come, first-served, and free parking will be available in the city’s nearby municipal lot. Folks may also park at the high school and take a shuttle over to the Paramount.

Details will be posted on the website soon, and folks are encouraged to reach out to staff at the high school with questions.

"Our focus is to provide the safety and security that allows our graduating students and their families to cherish this once-in-a-lifetime event," Willis said, adding that the Paramount has been “very accommodating for both price and last minute arrangements.”