FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Some Broward County parents and students are voicing frustration after the school district decided to move several high school graduation ceremonies from large venues to high school gymnasiums, a cost-cutting measure announced last week.
The change affects Fort Lauderdale High School seniors, whose ceremony had previously been planned for Nova Southeastern University. Instead, graduates will now walk across the stage at Dillard High School’s gym — a decision students and parents call disappointing and unfair.
“The NSU venue is really nice, and I was very excited to graduate there,” said FLHS senior Sabrina Solveig Schnoeller.
Parents argue the move sends the wrong message, especially since some students will graduate in a school they never attended.
Cooper City Commissioner Lisa Mallozzi said the decision is particularly frustrating given longstanding rivalries between schools.
“They just had four years fighting with this rival school, and now their graduation is in that gymnasium,” Mallozzi said. “I think if you were to give parents the opportunity to even pay $5, that would offset a large cost.”
Students also point to disparities across the district.
Larger schools, such as Cypress Bay High School in Weston, are still scheduled to hold commencements at Hard Rock Live, a venue that offers larger seating capacity, better parking and higher-end production.
“These aren’t equal experiences, and they send the wrong message about student value,” one FLHS student said.
Some parents say they would have been willing to help cover costs to keep graduations at larger venues.
“I think if you were to give parents the opportunity to even pay five dollars, that would offset a large cost,” Mallozzi said.
Deputy Mayor Jacqueline Guzman said the district’s financial concerns should not outweigh the significance of the milestone.
“I understand being fiscally responsible,” she said. “However, at the cost of the students, I believe there could have been alternatives.”
The Broward County School District has not publicly detailed how much money the venue changes are expected to save.
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