District 200 To Provide Designated Space For Garrigus Gathering

Sedalia School District 200 issued the following statement on Wednesday regarding the planned Garrigus gathering scheduled for Thursday at 1 p.m.:

"Sedalia School District 200 is grieving with our community over the death of Riley Garrigus.

We are aware that a community group has planned a peaceful gathering on Thursday, April 13, at Smith-Cotton High School to raise awareness to issues of concern. School and district officials will be in attendance to maintain a peaceful and productive gathering.

We will provide designated space on school property for the gathering. Our priorities are to ensure the safety of all involved and to ensure that the educational mission of the high school is not disrupted.

To our knowledge, no similar activities are planned at any other Sedalia 200 campus. Classes will continue without interruption; students choosing to leave school must be checked out through the attendance office as usual.

Questions and concerns should be directed to Assistant Superintendent Steve Triplett at (660) 829-6450."

The gathering was planed in response to community concern over the nationwide issue of bullying in schools. The assembly is planned to follow a funeral service at  First United Methodist Church Celebration Center for 16-year-old Riley Garrigus, an S-C sophomore who died April 8. She was active in basketball at the school.