Northside ISD will be forced to hold 2008 graduation ceremonies later than usual because of a state mandate requiring all Texas public schools to adopt a uniform schedule.
The uniform schedule means the school year for most of Bexar County’s 50-plus high schools will end on June 4, 2008, creating a major scheduling problem for San Antonio’s limited number of graduation venues.
Northside expressed opposition to the uniform schedule to elected officials in Austin, but the Legislature ultimately approved the measure.
Because of the size of Northside high school graduating classes, the only venue in San Antonio large enough to accommodate graduates, families, and friends is the Alamodome. More than 4,400 seniors are expected to graduate from Northside’s nine high schools in 2008.
“NISD does not want to use a smaller venue because we would have to resort to a ticket system, which would limit attendance by family and friends,” said Brian Woods, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Administration. “We don’t think it’s fair to everyone who wants to celebrate with their loved ones but can’t because of limited space.”
What this means is that Northside must compete with other school districts for the use of the Alamodome. Per Alamodome policy, other school districts that have been holding their graduation ceremonies at the facility longer than Northside have priority scheduling.
As a result, Northside’s larger graduation ceremonies won’t begin until five days after the end of school. Here’s a
list of graduation ceremonies the District has scheduled to date.
“We recognize that this may cause problems for students who are going on vacation, starting college summer classes, or beginning a job, but we hope that by getting the word out early, everyone can plan ahead,” Woods said.
In addition, many of the ceremonies are scheduled during the week, so it’s also important for families and out-of-town guests to think about arrangements now, Woods said.
Northside administrators did consider a number of other sites for graduations but were not able to find any other sites to meet the needs of the District:
- The Paul Taylor Field House, area churches, the UTSA Convocation Center and other university venues are too small.
- Outdoor graduations at Farris or Gustafson stadiums are not an option because of the summer heat and potential to be rained out.
- The AT&T Center is not available because of potential Spurs basketball playoffs.
- Freeman Coliseum already is reserved by other school districts that have prior rights.
- The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center doesn’t lend itself to graduation ceremonies because it offers only one level of seating.
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