Board reviews graduation venue options, weighing accessibility, cost and school culture
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Summary
Superintendent Haber updated the board on a review of graduation venues — including Clune Arena, Broadmoor World Arena, Liberty and Hatchell Field — focusing on accessibility, cost, travel distance and the desire to preserve smaller, school‑level ceremonies for Aspen Valley High School.
The board received an update from Superintendent Haber on plans for upcoming graduation ceremonies and the district's review of potential venues. Haber said staff conducted a cost analysis and examined accessibility and travel considerations as part of the district's evaluation of whether to continue using Clune Arena, move to the Broadmoor World Arena, or use district venues such as Liberty Stadium or Hatchell Field.
"We looked at venues that would be able to accommodate the number of families that we have at graduation," Superintendent Haber said. She noted Broadmoor World Arena is farther for many families, is currently affected by road construction that complicates parking access, and is more expensive than Clune Arena. Haber said the district is investigating using Liberty and Hatchell Field as possible alternatives and emphasized a need for a deeper investigation before a final decision.
Board members discussed trade-offs between larger indoor venues and smaller, more intimate sites. Director Gunez said using district fields or familiar school facilities can be "really kind of special" and preserve community culture; he also raised weather contingency concerns. Director Payne said she valued the community feel of district venues and noted the historical and symbolic importance of the Air Force Academy location, while also acknowledging security and logistical changes that complicate use of that site.
Haber said the district is considering having two graduation days rather than three and is assessing how that would affect rehearsals and scheduling. The board did not take a formal vote on venues during the meeting; the conversation was an informational update and staff were asked to continue investigating options and report back with recommendations.
The transcript shows discussion emphasizing both practical issues — cost, accessibility and construction impacts on parking — and cultural considerations for individual schools, particularly Aspen Valley High School, which the board said they prefer to hold in a smaller, more intimate setting to preserve its culture.