High school graduation is a big event. It will take a big place to hold all the people who want to attend Lawrence's high school commencement ceremonies.
When 175 parents and educators have something to say, Lawrence school district officials need to listen.
In this case, about 175 people gathered Thursday night at Lawrence High School to protest a decision to hold graduation ceremonies both for LHS and Free State High School at the Lied Center of Kansas. A petition signed by about 475 high school students also opposes the graduation location.
It's not that the Lied Center isn't a nice place. As the district committee that made the recommendation noted, the center has a good sound system, air-conditioning, easy access for people with disabilities and plenty of parking. The problem is that those conveniences will only be available to the 2,020 people who can fit into the Lied auditorium.
Each high school's graduation usually attracts about 3,000 guests, so to deal with the limitations, the district recommended allocating five tickets for each graduate to give to the guests of their choice. For some graduates, that may be plenty, but for many others, it wouldn't even come close.
A graduate with more than three siblings might not even be able to have his or her immediate family at the ceremony. Students with two parents and two sets of living grandparents would be one ticket short. And that doesn't even consider the complications of blended families. Through divorce and remarriage, many students have two sets of parents, which wouldn't leave many tickets for grandparents, siblings or other close relatives.
Although the high schools have used Allen Fieldhouse for graduation before, Kansas University says that isn't an option anymore. The university apparently is willing to consider the use of Memorial Stadium by the high schools, but it's unclear whether the fieldhouse would be available as a backup in case of rain. KU facilities have been used for high school graduations for many years. Surely, KU and school district officials can come up with a plan that serves the community's needs.
The bottom line is that high school graduation is a pivotal event for most young people. They should be able to share that event with as many friends and family members as they choose. The fact that 175 parents and educators came out to protest the district's decision is an indication of how important this occasion is to families and how strongly they feel about moving the ceremony to a larger location.
Schools often complain that parents don't get involved enough in the children's schooling. This time a large group of parents is voicing a strong opinion. The school board must listen and respond.
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