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Board discusses graduation capacity, ticket limits and venue options for large classes
Summary
Board members debated pros and cons of churches, high school stadiums and large venues for graduation after multiple schools reported tight ticket limits; no policy change was adopted at the informal meeting.
Board members spent a lengthy portion of the meeting discussing graduation venue capacity and ticket limits after several schools reported graduating classes large enough to strain indoor venues.
"High school is a big graduation for some children...and having sometimes only 4 tickets, especially if you have a big family...is a hardship," said Missus Bonzo, summarizing concerns raised by families about limited tickets. She urged the board to examine alternatives such as outdoor stadium graduations, renting larger churches, or splitting ceremonies if space requires it.
Board members and staff weighed tradeoffs. Staff noted outdoor graduations allow more spectators but raise weather and sightline issues and complicate rain dates. Missus Bonzo noted Springstead had opened both sides of its stadium stage and that outdoor events can fill quickly: "the stadium at Springstead...both sides were pretty full." Board members raised specific constraints such as fire-code limits for indoor venues and renovation work at Springstead's stadium that may affect availability next year.
Possible options discussed included: staging graduations on high school football fields (standing-room capacity but sightline and tent issues), renting larger Tampa venues such as Raymond James Stadium or Tropicana Field (noting cost and distance concerns), splitting ceremonies alphabetically or by segments, or renting large local churches if they will rent their facilities. Missus Bonzo asked staff to research availability and rental terms and to time renovations around graduation events where possible.
No formal policy or vote was recorded. Staff agreed to gather more information about capacities, rental availability and potential costs and to report back so the board can consider venue choices and scheduling ahead of next spring's graduations.
