LHS graduation may be held at Minneapolis Convention Center
Posted: 9/26/02
by Brenda Haugen
Managing Editor
Lakeville High Schoolís graduation ceremony likely will be held off campus next year ó way off campus.
Itís no secret that the population of Lakeville High School is growing. Until the second high school opens in the fall of 2005, some temporary adjustments will have to be made, including for graduations.
According to Lakeville High School Principal Julia Espe, last yearís graduation at the high school was crowded, warm and just plain uncomfortable. In an effort to come up with a solution, Espe surveyed parents of juniors last spring to discover their thoughts on the June 2003 graduation ceremony.
ìPlanning a commencement ceremony that will make memories for a lifetime is an honor. The intent of our building administrative team is to make positive memories for the students and their families. The site is critical to this intent,î Espe said in a recent memo to Superintendent Gary Amoroso.
The survey put forward two options for graduation 2003, with an Option C asking for ideas from parents.
Option A keeps the ceremony at the Lakeville High School stadium, weather permitting. In the case of inclement weather, the ceremony would be split in two, one for each half of the alphabet, and be held in the gymnasium.
Option B moves the ceremony to an off-site, enclosed area where weather wonít be an issue.
Option B led the choices with 64 percent of parents choosing it.
ìWe feel itís important for the class to stay together,î one parent said. ìThey have been together for the last four years. It would be a nice way to end.î
ìWe were just in Colorado for a high school graduation,î another parent responded. ìIt was held at the Air Force Academy. Unlimited seating. Awesome for all of us to be together. Please consider that option.î
While 37 percent came out in favor of Option A, the feelings against splitting the class for two ceremonies if weather wouldnít allow an outdoor event were strong.
ìI donít feel there should even be an Option A,î one parent said. ìKids donít choose their friends by their last name. If you split the alphabet and hold two ceremonies, a best friend may be at the other ceremony. Please donít consider Option A at all.î
Only 6 percent put forward their own ideas, including everything from rescheduling the event should it rain to letting students choose the ceremony theyíd participate in if it were split into two events.
With the majority of parents pointing toward an off-campus event, a site needs to be found. Espe said the Xcel Center in St. Paul, the Target Center in Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Convention Center and St. Olafís Skoglund Hall in Northfield were examined.
Skoglund Hall has been ruled out because it has the same seating capacity as LHS, Espe said.
ìThat was disappointing,î she said. ìWe really were interested in that one.î
The Target Center and Xcel Center do host graduations, but neither would commit because of the possibility they may be holding playoffs, Espe said.
But the Convention Center is reasonably priced and available, she said.
ìWe found it to be beautiful,î Espe said.
The cost of renting the Convention Center is $5,500. The Xcel Center and Target Center each cost well more than twice that amount.
The Convention Center seats 3,400. According to Espe, this allows the district the option of letting graduates invite anyone they wish without exceeding the seating capacity. If the district wants to remain conservative, though, students could be limited to five tickets, she said.
While looking at the cost of renting the facilities, Board Member Norm Plasch pointed out the costs of holding the ceremony in Lakeville. According to Espe, costs for set-up and take-down of two ceremonies in Lakeville would likely be around $7,000.
ìIt is not free to have a ceremony here in Lakeville,î Plasch said.
With a change in venues also comes safety concerns. If the district chooses to hold graduation at the Convention Center, Espe said she recommends busing the students to and from the site. Along with helping ensure everyone arrives safely at the ceremony, this plan will mean all will arrive back at the school for the all-night graduation party at the same time, Espe said.
ìWe like the idea of busing students,î she said.
But this does increase the liability issues for the district, said Lonnie Smith, director of Business Services.
Amoroso pointed out that graduation ceremony crowding issues will only be issues for another two years after the 2003 event. When the new high school opens, each high school will be able to host its own graduation ceremony, he said.
The School Board is expected to act on the recommendation for graduation 2003 at its next meeting, which is set for Oct. 8.
Brenda Haugen is at editor.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.
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