Rockdale Board approves contract to hold 2026 graduation at New Birth after debate over rising costs
Summary
The Rockdale County Board of Education voted 7-0 to approve a contract with New Birth Missionary Baptist Church to host RCPS 2026 graduation on May 29, 2026, after board members and public commenters debated escalating venue costs and whether the district should subsidize fees.
The Rockdale County Board of Education voted 7-0 to approve a contract with New Birth Missionary Baptist Church to host Rockdale County Public Schools’ 2026 graduation on May 29, 2026.
The contract approval came after nearly an hour of discussion in which board members and members of the public raised concerns about the event’s escalating cost and who should pay for it. Heather Duncan made the motion to approve the contract and Janie Jones seconded; the board voted unanimously to approve the contract.
Why it matters: Board members said the venue is accessible and popular with families but warned that costs have risen sharply in recent years and may force the district to subsidize ceremonies with maintenance-and-operations funds if senior dues alone prove insufficient.
Board member remarks and public comments focused on funding and access. A parent who testified during public comment, Jessica Oglesby, urged the board to continue hosting graduations at New Birth and suggested a multiyear contract to give families more time to plan and budget. "It has proven to be a safe and accessible ... family friendly venue," Oglesby said.
Several board members said they supported holding graduations at New Birth this year but signaled limits. One board member noted the venue’s cost trajectory: "This will be the fourth year we will have held this graduation at New Birth — started off at $45,000, the third year it went to $90,000, and this year is projected at $105,000," and said that if the district must subsidize the event from county M&O funds, their support would end. Another board member, Heather Duncan, argued for celebrating students even if the board needs to find district funding, saying, "Let's celebrate our students. Let's find the money and let's celebrate our students in the way that they deserve to be celebrated." The transcript shows the board discussed options including earlier disclosure of costs to families, possible subsidies for students who cannot pay, and the trade-off between ceremony spending and other district priorities.
Motion and vote details: The motion to approve the contract was made by Heather Duncan and seconded by Janie Jones. The board recorded a unanimous vote in favor (tally: yes 7, no 0). Earlier in the meeting the board also voted 7-0 to approve the agenda, to approve minutes for August meetings, and to adopt the consent agenda; those routine approvals were recorded before the graduation discussion.
Cost and funding context: Board discussion referenced senior dues as the primary current funding source for off-site graduations and noted the district subsidized prior ceremonies when dues were insufficient. Board members repeatedly asked administration to provide clearer, earlier cost information to families and to consider whether the district should set aside funds or identify other funding sources if off-site ceremonies remain the preference.
Looking ahead: With the contract approved, the board and administration said they will work on logistics and on communicating costs to families earlier so that parents and students can plan. The motion was carried 7-0 and the meeting adjourned later in the evening.
