NILES, Ohio - Despite the early termination of the academic year, Superintendent Ann Marie Thigpen says Niles Schools will hold a graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 possibly as late as August 5. The only question given the uncertain situation with the COVID-19 virus and the state-ordered shutdown is when.

“We want to do something extra special for this group,” Thigpen told the board of education Thursday in a virtual meeting conducted on the Zoom conferencing app. “It’s unprecedented what we’re dealing with.”

Commencement ceremonies for the 199-member class have been scheduled for May 20—a date that appears unlikely. Thigpen said meetings are to be held with senior class officers to discuss “four or five potential dates at Packard Music Hall.” The superintendent warned, however, that the later the ceremony, the more likely some graduates will miss it possibly due to military or employment commitments. “There’s no guarantee,” she said.

Meanwhile, the board voted to continue contracting with the Nutrition Group for food management services for the next school year at a cost of nearly $134,000. The decision came despite some consideration of going “in-house” as a cost-savings move. Treasurer Rhonda Baldwin-Amorganos told the board there had not been enough time to explore the option given the schools’ upcoming summer feeding program. That answer did not sit well with board member Christopher Chieffo who cast the lone vote against the contract.

“I am frustrated,” Chieffo told the board. “They lose money for us.” However, board President Tony Perrone said the Nutrition Group has helped reduce previously existing deficits. “It’s a matter of trying to minimize those losses (and) turn it around,” he said. Those are not the only losses facing the district. 21 News reported Wednesday that Niles Schools could lose half of its normal state reimbursements for school lunches. The district has already been losing money it would have collected from students for their daily lunches.

Perrone said that approximately 45 people attended the virtual meeting on the Zoom app, which was not without its occasional audio glitches. “It’s a work in progress and there are going to be kinks,” he said. The board’s next meeting, also to be held virtually, is scheduled for May 14.