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Oroville council backs Safe Grad Night; community organizers press for clarity on PTSA funds
Summary
The Oroville City Council adopted a resolution supporting Oroville High School’s Safe Grad Night and community members urged the city to help channel donations after parents said a $9,000 PTSA fundraiser was redirected to scholarships. Council and volunteers said a nonprofit is assisting with coordination.
The Oroville City Council on Feb. 3 adopted a resolution expressing support for Oroville High School’s Safe Grad Night program, a community‑led effort to provide a supervised, alcohol‑free celebration for graduating seniors.
The resolution—approved on the consent agenda—commends volunteers and authorizes the mayor to issue letters of support; council members said the endorsement signals the city values the safety and well‑being of local youth.
Why it matters: Graduations are cited by the resolution as times of increased risks for impaired driving and substance use. Supporters say Safe Grad Night reduces those risks and provides parents peace of mind.
At a public comment period before the vote, three speakers—grandmother Stephanie Ulrich, parent Kyle McDonald and community member John Zilic—urged council support and described rapid grassroots organizing after the PTA initially said the event would be canceled for lack of volunteers. "Our students are not just graduating, they are future community leaders," Kyle McDonald said, thanking the council for backing the event.
Speakers also raised concerns about a PTSA‑held fundraiser. McDonald and other speakers said roughly $9,000 that had been raised for Safe Grad Night was being redirected to scholarships, and asked the city to clarify where donations should be sent. Council members and volunteer organizers said they are working with a nonprofit, Oroville Youth in Action, to provide a PO box and tax‑ID information for community donations.
What the city will do next: Council members said they will not take the role of event operator but will support the community effort and post contact and donation details once a lead organization is firmly identified. Staff and volunteers committed to returning contact information to the council so the city can share official guidance on where to send donations.
The resolution does not obligate city funds; it recognizes and encourages community participation and said the mayor may issue letters of support on behalf of the city.
Community context: Speakers estimated about 150 graduates from Oroville High School and noted homeschool graduates may not be included in that figure. Organizers said they were starting from scratch and welcome in‑kind help and volunteers.
The meeting ended with council members thanking organizers and noting they would individually assist where possible.
