A plan to move high school graduations to the Lied Center led a group to seek an alternative site with unlimited seating.
Community members launched a campaign Wednesday to spur reconsideration of the Lawrence School District's decision to shift Lawrence high school graduation ceremonies in May 2000 to a building with limited seating.
Lynn Heiserman and Becky May, both with children due to graduate this academic year, are helping organize a meeting of parents, students and teachers at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Lawrence High School's cafeteria.
"Our objective is to go from the limited seating to at least an option of having unlimited seating," Heiserman said.
The Free State graduation program is set for 4 p.m. May 28 in Kansas University's Lied Center. LHS is scheduled to follow at 7 p.m. May 28. The performing arts center's 2,020-seat capacity means graduates will be limited to a maximum of five guests each.
Typically, each high school attracts 3,000 people for graduation.
Both high schools had graduation last year in Allen Fieldhouse, a 16,300-seat arena that permitted open seating of guests. But KU officials no longer allow graduation ceremonies in the fieldhouse due to concern for visitor safety and comfort.
May said meeting organizers believe it might be appropriate to conduct the ceremonies at KU's Memorial Stadium. She said Allen Fieldhouse or the Lied Center could be back-up sites.
A committee that studied venue options before settling on the Lied Center was co-chaired by Free State Assistant Principal Lisa Boyd and LHS Assistant Principal Mike Browning.
Boyd said the Lied Center was chosen because it had a quality sound system, air conditioning, plenty of parking and convenient access for people with disabilities.
Potential for rainouts led the committee to spurn outdoor locations, Browning said.
Heiserman said the campaign for a new site would be an uphill battle.
"That's why we've asked the public to show that they're not pleased," she said. "We have options."
LHS students are gathering 400 signatures on a petition in opposition to the Lied Center for graduation. A similar petition is circulating at Free State.
"This not only impacts my daughter's class," May said, "but it sets a precedent as to what's going to happen in the future."
-- Tim Carpenter's phone message number is 832-7155. His e-mail address is tcarpenter@ljworld.com.
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