Board outlines graduation venues, dates and cost options; UNF dates reserved, Dailies Place cost cited

Nassau County School District staff briefed the school board on planned graduation ceremony locations and dates, saying facility availability has constrained options for large high schools.

Staff reported the University of North Florida has prioritized Duval County and that Nassau has been allocated several weekday dates in mid-to-late May and one Saturday date reserved for a larger graduating class. A staff member explained, "They gave us the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday at 01:00, the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth, and then they gave ... one Saturday date, which was the thirtieth at 04:00. We did reserve that for Yulee High School only because of the size." Staff also noted that diplomas will carry the district calendar's last day of school: May 27.

Other venues were discussed and largely discounted because of cost or seating limits. Staff said Dailies Place was priced at about $58,000; arena rental would be thousands of dollars more but offers more reliable dates. The district continues to explore long-term local options, including a potential fairgrounds open-air arena and a planned park amphitheater, but staff said those facilities either would not provide required capacity or are not yet available.

Why it matters: Graduation ceremonies require large-capacity venues during a narrow window at the end of the school year. The chosen dates and venue assignments affect families' travel, seniors' schedules and the district’s event costs.

Next steps: Staff will finalize plans and continue advertising dates so families and schools can prepare; any costs and date confirmations will be presented at subsequent meetings.