BRUNSWICK

Brunswick High School students are asking the school board to revisit a $10,000 cap placed on how much the district is willing to spend on graduation this year. Sarah Judd and Lancelot Naipier-Kane, senior class treasurer and student body treasurer, respectively, want a little more than $14,000 for graduation ceremonies.

Graduation spending had been initially budgeted at $33,000. Board members felt compelled to lower that figure after an outcry over the high amount.

Although budgeted for $21,000, the class of 2014 graduation cost around $17,800. Much of that cost was incurred by the high price of audio and visual equipment.

Estimates for 2015 graduation costs have been in a state of flux, with more recent estimates reported to be about $14,300.

“We will always work to lower that,” said Superintendent Paul Perzanoski.

Cost saving measures, including cutting a large-screen television out of the budget, mean graduation costs are projected to be about $500 less than the 2014 ceremony, according to Naipier-Kane.

The students rejected mentions made at earlier meetings of charging admission for some graduation attendees as a way to offset costs not covered under the $10,000 cap. Students maintained that charging admission goes against the spirit of an event celebrated by the town has a whole.

“We don’t feel comfortable charging tickets for such an important school-wide and community-wide event,” said Judd, addressing members of the school board on Wednesday.

Naipier-Kane said that “pressuring students to focus on a ticketing system” was having a “negative effect” on the learning environment, and set a “negative precedent” for future classes.

The class of 2015 has been raising funds for the last four years, not for graduation, but for the prom. Almost $7,000 has been obtained, said Judd, with the ultimate goal of raising $10,000. That money had been earmarked for senior prom in the hopes that tickets could be low-cost or even free.

Most classes in the past have raised between $5,000 and $7,000 for the prom, with the rest of the costs paid for through tickets, according to Judd.

“We’re trying to ensure it stays such as a positive experience for the school and the town,” said Judd. “Graduation is the pinnacle of our academic career.”

School committee members didn’t discuss the students’ request, although Chairwoman Michele Joyce left open the possibility that it could come before the board as an agenda item at a meeting next month.

Changing the location of graduation — traditionally held at Bowdoin College’s Watson arena — was not discussed.

Other business

Also on Thursday, Brunswick Junior High School Principal Walter Wallace updated the board on what’s being done as his school prepares to welcome grade five students in 2015.

Parents were informed Oct. 3 that a steering committee and a number of subgroups have been established to smooth the transition.

“We want to get a feel from parents as to what they’re concerned about,” said Wallace.

jswinconeck@timesrecord.com

Mounting money

GRADUATION SPENDING had been initially budgeted at $33,000.

Although budgeted for $21,000, the class of 2014 graduation cost around $17,800. Much of that cost was incurred by the high price of audio and visual equipment.

Estimates for 2015 graduation costs have been in a state of flux, with more recent estimates reported to be about $14,300.

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