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DeKalb Schools Move Graduation Out of Churches

May 26th, 2013

For the first time this year, none of the graduation ceremonies for DeKalb County public schools will take place in churches.

The ceremonies are being held in venues ranging from the school system’s auditorium to stadiums to the Georgia Dome and even the Fox Theatre. Moving them is a decision made in response to parents who asked that their children not graduate in a facility where religious symbols are displayed.

But now there are complaints that the fees senior pay to help offset graduation costs are too high because of the new venues.An audio version of this story

“We’ve got to find that middle ground,” says DeKalb schools spokesperson Lillian Govus. “We’ve got to find that place where we’re going to include all of our students and celebrate them in the manner that they deserve.”

Govus says the principal and other administrative leaders at each high school make the decision about where graduation will be and decide how much senior fees will be each year. She gives as an example Stone Mountain High School’s senior fees; they are $200 this year, and graduation is at the Georgia Dome.

Govus says Stone Mountain High’s principal tells her that renting the Dome is about the same price as a church. Still, she says the school system will continue to study the issue.

The last of this year’s DeKalb high school graduation ceremonies is May 26th.