St. Charles graduations going to the arena

When St. Charles high school seniors graduate next year, they'll do so on a stage also graced by rock stars Pete Townsend and Bob Dylan.

School District 303 officials confirmed Tuesday their decision to move St. Charles East and North High School commencement ceremonies some 20 miles away to Sears Centre, an 11,000-seat arena in Hoffman Estates.

Area Assistant Superintendent Ron Knapik said there are a "litany of reasons" for the relocation, which will break from a longstanding tradition of grads turning their tassels at their own schools.

Among them, "the seating clearly is a huge benefit there," Knapik said, as well as not having to worry about the weather.

Administrators began tinkering with the idea of moving graduation several weeks ago.

Through questionnaires, they gathered feedback from seniors and their families. Knapik said some also were invited on a guided tour of the arena, which opened last year and since has seen performances from the likes of Billy Joel, Dylan, The Who and Alice Cooper, as well as sporting events.

Knapik said surveys from both high schools showed strong support for relocating commencement.

Still, he said, plans for additional ceremonies at the individual schools are in the works "to take into consideration the students' feelings for their alma mater."

Knapik did not have an exact cost for renting the arena but said it is "the same amount or less than what it costs us to produce graduations at both campuses." School board President Kathy Hewell has said it is expected to cost roughly $25,000.

As for graduation day, the details are yet to come.

Knapik said there will be two ceremonies, probably one in the morning and one in the afternoon, although it hasn't been decided which classes will graduate when.

The district has committed to having commencement at Sears Centre only next year and plans to evaluate how the first one goes before signing up for additional years.

Knapik said administrators received positive feedback from other suburban schools that have moved graduation to the arena. Students and their families are being notified of the change in a letter.