Last year, Foothill relied on fundraisers and the school’s booster group to pay for graduation.
That came to a screeching halt two years ago because of budget cuts. The district used to chip in $10,000 per high school to help cover graduation costs. This is the first year Foothill has asked parents for donations to cover graduation expenses. “We run everything here on a shoestring,” Avilla said.
The school keeps costs relatively low because years ago, it forked over big bucks to buy a stage and hundreds of folding chairs, which can easily cost $10,000 to rent. Granada’s graduation ceremony, held at the high school, costs no more than $9,000, Avilla estimated. A large portion of what they make on the homecoming dance covers the cost of the graduation ceremony.” “The biggest fundraiser for the senior class is the homecoming dance. “The senior class each year does fundraising through the course of four years,” Granada High School vice principal Pat Avilla said. Students are told as incoming freshmen that they have four years to raise the money. Livermore’s two high schools rely on each graduating class to fund its own graduation ceremony. There’s some grumbling about how much senior year costs, but I would say most people pay something.” I was surprised when I got the letter two years ago (when my daughter graduated). “It’s not something that’s universally known. “There’s definitely some grumbling,” she said. Wilcox admitted that not everyone is as eager to fork over a few bucks for the graduation ceremony. I’d rather the money goes toward education, so I don’t mind.” “I would rather put in a little bit of money and have a nice graduation instead of cheaping out. “I understand that times are tough,” Wilcox said. Donations cover items that make the event special, such as fresh flowers, colorful bunting and the traditional bagpipe player. But for the past three years, the school has asked parents to donate $30 per family to supplement ever-growing expenses. They either cut back or they ask parents to help.”ĭublin High’s graduation ceremony, which can cost as much as $15,000, is covered by the district. “I blame the state of California, frankly, because of the fiscal mismanagement that led all of the schools to not get the money they deserve,” Dublin High School senior parent Patricia Wilcox said. Programs that were once funded by districts or schools are now falling squarely on the shoulders of parents. The state’s depressed economy has left school districts reeling from multiple years of budget cuts. Feeling grad ceremonies’ pinch – East Bay Times Close Menu