The Columbia Paper is reporting the state Department of Health and Governor Andrew M. Cuomo have announced guidance for alternative graduation celebrations for school districts to consider, according to the daily COVID-19 press release from Columbia County. If the guidance is strictly followed, school districts may proceed with graduation. The new guidance is contrary to previous state instruction, which required a local committee composed of the county’s chief elected official, the county health director, and the county Emergency Management director to review and approve a school’s graduation plan. In its announcement, the state provided extensive guidance for holding a virtual celebration or a celebration that maintains social distancing. Nothing in the new guidance would prevent delaying a graduation ceremony until later in the year, according to Columbia County. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.