Overview
- After four hours of discussion and extensive public comment, the School Board declined to add a reconsideration vote on graduation venues to its agenda.
- The superintendent said ceremonies at Nova Southeastern University cost about $25,000 each versus roughly $3,000 in district gyms, with overall savings estimated at about $500,000.
- Under the current plan, Cypress Bay and Marjory Stoneman Douglas will use Hard Rock Live, nine schools are slated for NSU, and 32 schools will graduate in large district-run gyms.
- Capacity limits drive ticket allocations, with all seniors guaranteed at least four guests and NSU ceremonies generally allowing five or more, creating disparities such as Cooper City’s four versus Nova High’s potential six.
- Critics cited transparency and equity concerns, pointing to a December email instructing board members not to share the venue list and a cutoff change from classes under 500 to under 556 that pushed more schools into gym ceremonies.