State sues Wayne Township over plans to hold in-person graduation ceremonies

The state of New Jersey filed a lawsuit against the mayor of Wayne Township 10 days after the mayor announced plans to hold in-person graduation ceremonies.

News 12 Staff

Jun 18, 2020, 2:37 AM

Updated 1,639 days ago

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The state of New Jersey filed a lawsuit against the mayor of Wayne Township 10 days after the mayor announced plans to hold in-person graduation ceremonies.
The graduations were supposed to be held this week in the parking lot of the Wayne Township Town Hall, with social distancing protocols in place. Wayne Hills High School’s graduation was to be held on Thursday and Wayne Valley High School’s graduation was to be held on Friday.
But a judge issued an injunction against the ceremonies because in-person graduation ceremonies are not allowed until July 6, under Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive order.
Mayor Christopher Vergano released a video on Wednesday apologizing to the students.
“Throughout, our only goal was to assist the children of our community in having a meaningful celebration. This was never about me, as the mayor, the board of education or the governor,” the mayor said. “This was and still remains only about one thing – the Wayne Valley and Wayne Hills classes of 2020.”
Photos: 2020 Senior Spotlight
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Both graduation ceremonies will now be held on July 30. Vergano says that he hopes that more restrictions will be lifted by then.
This is the second time in the last week that the Murphy administration has taken action against a town for violating an executive order. Asbury Park was sued after the city council voted to allow indoor dining at restaurants.