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PB Convention Center will host 2010 Graduation
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Written by Marisa Kaplan, Print News Editor
Seniors, get ready to travel north to West Palm Beach in May. The Palm Beach County School Board has signed a three-year agreement to keep graduation ceremonies at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. Board members voted last Wednesday in favor of the decision which includes a locked in price and the promise of numerous donations from county businesses and development groups. After the 2010 graduation ceremonies, the school board will decide on whether the budget will allow the 2011 ceremony to be at the convention center.
Supporters of the new agreement are looking forward to the $76,000 of local donations that will be deducted from the total cost of the 2010 graduations. According to the Palm Beach Post, the price of this year’s graduations is $352,559. Critics argue that the fee for the upcoming ceremonies at the convention center are “ridiculous” compared to the South Florida Fairgrounds’ offer of $256,164, more than $100,000 less than the current price. One of the seven board members who voted against the deal, Frank Barbieri, is concerned with the uncertain future of state and local funding.
Students at West Boca have mostly positive remarks about the continuing use of the graduation site. Senior Rebecca Gold is very excited to have the ceremony at the convention center. “I like that seniors will be able to include more family and friends to enjoy the ceremony because of the large size of the convention center” she said. Senior Abbie Schepps attended last year’s graduation and “had the best time at the convention center” and “is very excited about going back there to graduate”. So as seniors begin to think about graduation, they won’t have to worry about the venue.
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