posted
10/27/2009
Duanesburg received a grant from Proctors back in July? This only became know to taxpayers recently. Why? This certainly makes the entire Proctors issue look fishy.
The superintendent learned that Proctor's Theatre offered grants to schools during a district superintendent meeting held at the facility in July. Shortly after that meeting, the administrative team as well as several interested teachers visited the site to learn more about the programming and how it could enhance student's learning experiences. They all agreed it was an exciting initiative and decided to pursue the grant. In August, the district was notified that it had been awarded a $10,000 grant, which allows elementary, middle and high school students to attend Proctor's events free of charge. An article was posted on the district Web site and September newsletter at that time. Whether or not graduation was held at Proctor's, the district would have accepted the grant.
posted
8/11/2009
The class of 2010 voted by email on their graduation location. Will the members of following classes be able to vote when their time comes, perhaps in junior homerooms when all students will be present and aware of the vote? I was told that not all of the 2010 members were aware of the email poll.
The Junior Class did not vote on the
location—they were surveyed to get a sense of how they would feel about
having graduation at Proctors. The survey was conducted to help the
board and administration make an informed decision about changing the
location and its impact on students for which the day is intended.
Graduation at Proctor’s Theatre is being held on a one-year trial basis
this year. The district has not made any decisions regarding future
ceremonies. The location will be re-evaluated after the ceremony, and
input will be sought from class advisors, parents and students at that
time.
posted
8/11/2009
Who pays for graduation, the graduating class or the school district? It seems irresponsible to me that a district which is still having to make tough decisions because of recent financial issues would even consider paying more than double the price of a local graduation.
The Duanesburg Board of Education and administration agreed that paying an additional $1,000-$1,500 to hold graduation at Proctor’s would be well worth the investment to provide students, families and community members with a memorable ceremony, in which everyone could be comfortably seated and better able to hear keynote speakers and graduates names being announced as they receive their diplomas. See response on payment dated August 6.
posted
8/11/2009
According to a response about the graduation being held at Proctors next year, it says a survey was taken. Can you provide us with details of this survey, such as who took it, when and what the results were?
See response below.
posted
8/11/2009
I would like to know, in regards to graduation being moved to Proctors, what was the class vote? Was it a majority decision? What were the exact figures? Seems like a complete waste of taxpayer money. Nothing wrong with our gym! Graduation has been beautiful there.
The Junior Class advisor e-mailed members of the Junior Class in mid June to get their input on holding graduation at Proctor’s Theatre. Of the 80 class members, 37 students favored the move while five students were opposed and five students indicated no preference and the remaining students did not respond.
posted
8/11/2009
Regarding graduation change... why do we need to change at all?
The district is responding to complaints made by
parents, students and community members who have expressed their
unhappiness with the existing set-up in the high school gym—citing
uncomfortable seats, length of the ceremony and difficulty seeing and
hearing graduates and speakers.
Because graduation is such a momentous occasion for everyone involved,
the district felt it would be irresponsible not to address these
concerns. Because many Schenectady County school districts already use
Proctor’s Theatre for commencement, the district began exploring the
benefits of holding a ceremony at their facility, and found that
Proctors offers many benefits, such as more seating capacity, cushioned
seats, air-conditioning, a state-of-the-art sound system and acoustics.
Proctor’s staff would also be available to help run the ceremony.
Feedback will be sought from families and students following graduation
to determine whether future ceremonies should be held at Proctors
Theatre or return to the high school.
Who is paying for the graduation ceremony being moved to Schenectady? The graduating class or the taxpayers? Thank You.
The rental fees to hold graduation at Proctor’s Theatre will be completely funded by the school district budget. We were able to do this without adding money to the budget due to savings that occurred in other areas. For example, a senior staff member retired and is being replaced by a newer faculty member who commands a lower salary. Some of the savings that were realized from this will be used to fund graduation, among other initiatives next year.
posted
7/30/2009
I would like to know who decided next years graduation was leaving the building and at what is the cost? Hoping you are brave enough to find an answer and this question does not get swept under the rug!!!
The rental fee for Proctor's is $1,500 plus
labor to run the performance, which is billed hourly and can run up to
an additional $1,500.
Although Proctor's rental fee is approximately $3,000—the
differential to the district is actually half that cost. Each year, the
district spends approximately $1,455 to hold graduation at the high
school, which covers the cost of running extra utilities, printing
graduation materials and paying custodians overtime.
Learn more about the decision where to hold the event in the response, dated July 9, below.
Is it true Graduation ceremonies are to be held at Proctors Theater next year? That takes all the tradition away from our school! I don't want to walk across the stage there. I want to walk across the same stage my mom did....who can I contact to find out about this?
After much consideration and a survey of the junior class, Duanesburg High School's graduation ceremony will be held at Proctors Theater in Schenectady for the first time ever next year. While this is a break from tradition, the district felt the theater may be better able to accommodate students, their families and friends. Many of the other traditions will continue such as graduates receiving flowers from a family member or friend, the student slideshow and a reception held by the Junior Class. The new location will be re-evaluated after next year and a decision will be made whether or not to hold future ceremonies at the theater.
« BACK to previous page
