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Parents and students press Spring Grove board on graduation timing and mock‑trial grant support
Summary
Community members urged the board to avoid scheduling graduation on Friday of Memorial Day weekend and asked the district to partner with the Spring Grove Area Education Fund and local businesses to pursue grants for the mock trial team; students provided deadlines and asked for letters of support.
Several community members used the public‑comment portion of the June 22 meeting to press the Spring Grove Area School District for changes and assistance on two issues: graduation scheduling and grant support for the high school mock trial program.
Jess Daniels (North Codorus Township) said she had emailed the board on May 8 and followed up on June 1 but received only one reply (from Mrs. Sterner). Daniels asked the board to consider avoiding a 2027 graduation date that falls on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, saying many families have long‑standing holiday plans that make it difficult to attend a Friday evening ceremony. She also flagged incorrect email links on the district website that directed messages to previous board members; board members later said those links were corrected.
Several speakers then asked the board to support fundraising for the mock trial program. Volunteer Michelle Galvanoni said 18 current students and alumni had written letters in support of pursuing foundation and federal grants; she asked for board letters of support, help from the business department for demographic and financial information, and for the Spring Grove Area Education Fund (a local nonprofit) to submit some applications on behalf of the team. Galvanoni said some grants require a two‑year audited nonprofit to be the applicant and offered to provide completed application drafts and demographic data.
A student who identified herself as Madison described invitations the team has earned (including national and regional invitationals) and asked the board to support submissions to three foundations: the Powder Mill Foundation (deadline July 15), the Rice Family Foundation (deadline July 1), and the Ruder’s Children Foundation. Madison asked that the district or the Spring Grove Area Education Fund apply and noted students had prepared responses and application packets to make the process easier for administrators.
Kelly Stallman (North Coventry Township) reiterated concerns about graduation timing and suggested holding graduation on the last school day (Thursday) in years when Memorial Day weekend conflicts arise; she cited neighboring districts that have moved ceremonies to Thursday.
Board and administration members said calendar decisions usually reflect administrative scheduling and rehearsal needs and that any change would require re‑engaging stakeholders. Superintendent Daphne said scheduling and rehearsal logistics make a same‑day last‑day graduation more challenging for practice and staffing, and the board encouraged stakeholders to provide input if the calendar is reconsidered.
No formal motion or vote resulted from the public comments; the board said it would review the concerns and the administration noted that email links had been corrected.
