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ROCORI board hears parent concern as district defends handbook change excluding freshmen guests at prom
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Summary
Parents pressed the ROCORI School Board for clearer reasons after administrators placed a handbook restriction that prevents freshmen from attending prom as guests; the principal said the change reflects local peer practice, that no change will be made this year, and that formal handbook or policy language will be considered for future years.
Parents and school leaders debated prom access for underclass students and how graduation honors should be handled during an extended discussion at the ROCORI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT School Board meeting.
Principal Ryan explained why the district moved to limit prom guests to sophomores and above: “Prom is a junior senior event,” he said, and administrators looked at peer districts and building practices before recommending the handbook change. He said principals use discretion for individual guest approvals and that the district will not change the current year’s practice; any modification would be announced in the student handbook at the start of the school year.
A parent, Sarah Stadinski, asked for clearer communication and examples so she can explain the decision to her ninth‑grade daughter. “It just seems interesting that there's no real reason being given why freshmen are being excluded suddenly this year from prom,” Stadinski said. She also asked whether a principal could grant individual approvals for freshmen with parental support; the principal said administrators sometimes make exceptions but preferred a consistent handbook practice going forward.
The board also discussed graduation honors and cords, including whether to keep a top‑10 system or adopt a Latin‑honor‑style standard. Ryan said the district intends to formalize criteria for cords and other recognitions, soliciting faculty and student input and considering policy‑committee review or handbook language: “I need a line,” he said, signaling a desire for a clear standard so students know expectations at the start of the year.
Board members raised transitional considerations to avoid taking recognition away from students already working toward honors this year and suggested phasing in any new standard. The administration said it will gather staff feedback, propose implementation language in the handbook or policy committee, and report back to the board.
On the question of outdoor graduation, Ryan and staff described logistical challenges — weather unpredictability, sound issues, turf protection costs and additional staffing to set up two venues — and said those practical constraints have so far reinforced holding graduation indoors. Board members and parents said outdoor options merit further discussion because they could increase guest capacity and reduce seating limits for families.
Next steps: Administration will collect faculty and student feedback and return recommendations for either handbook language or a policy‑committee review. The board emphasized communicating any changes in advance so students who are already working toward honors are not disadvantaged.
