Stigler school board tables proposed move of 2025–26 prom after safety, consent concerns
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Summary
After hearing from junior-class sponsors and parents about a proposed move of the 2025–26 junior-senior prom to Overstreet Farmhouse, the Stigler Board of Education voted unanimously to table the request pending further parent consent and clearer transportation plans.
The Stigler Board of Education voted Dec. 8 to table a proposal to move the 2025–26 junior-senior prom to Overstreet Farmhouse after board members and parents raised questions about parental consent, student driving and survey response rates.
Junior-class sponsors and school staff, including Mr. Shepherd and Miss Gilmore, presented the venue change as a way to reduce decoration time and overall cost. The presenters said a Google-form survey returned 78 responses, with roughly 68 reporting they would attend. “We feel based on past experience that switching locations would elevate prom to an even more classy level and save in time and additional funds for preparing for prom,” one presenter said.
Board members and parents pressed for clearer assurances on student safety and written parental consent for students who would drive themselves to the site about 31 minutes from Stigler. “How many people were involved in this survey?” a board member asked; the presenter replied, “78.” Several board members said they wanted a higher response rate and explicit permission forms before authorizing students to drive. The presenters said they would arrange bus transportation for students who do not drive and had discussed security coverage with Officer Edwards and Gary Ballinger.
The proposal included a cost comparison the presenters said showed the venue would cost $800 for Saturday and an additional $500 for Friday, versus gym rental and scissor-lift rental and extra decoration costs. Presenters argued that using the venue would reduce the number of volunteer hours and class disruptions for decorating.
After questions and discussion, board member Carly Stobel moved to table the venue change; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously, with Kenny Whitson and David Huggins joining Stobel in voting yes. The presenters said they would collect additional parent consent forms and updated attendance numbers and return with that information at a future meeting.
The board did not adopt any policy changes related to prom at the Dec. 8 meeting; the reconsidered venue will return to a future agenda once the presenters provide the requested documentation and parent responses.
