After backlash, district reverses graduation plan affecting Coral Springs High
Broward County Public Schools has reversed its decision to hold several high school graduation ceremonies inside the Dillard High School gymnasium in Fort Lauderdale, backing away from a cost-cutting plan that sparked widespread backlash from parents and students.
Among the schools affected was Coral Springs High School, whose revised graduation venue is expected to be announced this week.
On Friday, Jan. 23, Broward School Board Superintendent Howard Hepburn responded to the complaints and issued a memo announcing the district would change course.
“After receiving extensive feedback from Board members and the community during the January 21, 2026, Regular School Board Meeting, staff will publish a revised graduation schedule next week,” Hepburn wrote.
He added, “Funding has been secured to ensure that each school will host its commencement ceremony in the same venue, or a comparable venue, as used in 2025.”
Last week, the district released a graduation schedule showing that several schools, including Coral Springs High, were scheduled to hold their commencement ceremonys at Dillard High’s gym. Two other Coral Springs high schools, Coral Glades High and J.P. Taravella High, meanwhile, were scheduled for graduation ceremonies at Nova Southeastern University.
The graduation plans immediately drew criticism, with families questioning why students at some schools would graduate in a gym while others were assigned to larger rented venues such as Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino or Nova Southeastern.
During the Jan. 21 school board meeting, parents voiced their displeasure with the plan. Hepburn said he would take the concerns into consideration.
District officials had argued that using high school gyms would significantly reduce costs. According to the district, a graduation ceremony in a gym costs about $3,000, compared with approximately $25,000 at Nova Southeastern and $50,000 at Hard Rock Live.
The plan called for using outside venues only for the district’s 11 largest graduating classes, a move officials said would have saved about $500,000.
School Board members approved the idea in October, but complaints surged after the venue list became public in mid-January. Speakers at the meeting questioned the fairness of the plan and urged leaders to reconsider what many described as a once-in-a-lifetime milestone for students.
Hepburn also said each graduate will be guaranteed a minimum of four guest tickets, regardless of the venue.
“We look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 and ensuring this milestone remains a meaningful and memorable experience for our students and their families,” he wrote.
