St. Charles high school graduations in Hoffman Estates?

St. Charles Unit District 303 officials are exploring the idea of moving both East and North high schools' graduations to a Hoffman Estates arena.

The district recently notified parents of the possibility in a letter and has met with students, parents and school staffs to discuss what would be a shift from longstanding tradition.

Administrators from both high schools declined a Daily Herald request for details as they have been explained to parents, as well as the results of surveys taken by parents and high school seniors.

School board President Kathy Hewell said the discussion centers on relocating the 2008 graduations to the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, an 11,000-seat arena that opened last year. The idea is being well-received by some, she said, but has raised concerns from others.

"It's economically feasible," Hewell said. "Whether it's what people want is another question."

According to Hewell, the cost of putting on both graduations on the same day at Sears Centre would cost about $25,000.

She said the amount would be "a wash" when compared to how much both schools pay for graduations on their home turf because they must hire security, rent equipment and be ready to move indoors because of foul weather.

District officials estimated that roughly 1,000 students will graduate in 2008.

On the upside, Hewell said, relocating graduation would ensure every spectator gets a seat, while space can be limited if graduations are moved indoors locally.

The experience also might be more comfortable for visitors and there would not be the need to acquire special equipment and hire security.

"The downside for both schools is there's that tradition of having it at your own school," Hewell said.

"At St. Charles East, I know it's a particularly strongly held belief because the school has been in existence longer than North. Kids are attached to their schools and they're not attached to that building (the Sears Centre)."

An assistant to area assistant superintendents John Baird and Ron Knapik said the administrators plan to finalize a recommendation this week. Neither Knapik nor Baird would comment.

Superintendent Don Schlomann said the project is being headed up by high school administrators, who will make a final decision. He said he had few details. Both schools would have to move graduation in order for it to be cost-effective, he said.

In the suburbs, the idea of having graduations in large arenas is not new.

West Aurora High School now has its graduation at the Northern Illinois University Convocation Center in DeKalb, and several other suburban districts, including Elgin Area U-46, have moved graduations to the Sears Centre.