(KNSI) – The St. Cloud Area School District will survey community members about improving graduation ceremonies following a fight that broke out during Tech High School’s May 31st commencement at River’s Edge Convention Center.
During the event, a group of spectators started to brawl near one of the exits. No weapons were used, and no injuries were reported. On Wednesday, the St. Cloud Police Department completed its investigation and forwarded recommendations for disorderly conduct charges against four females in connection with the incident. They include a 17-year-old and three adult women, ages 19, 21, and 39. No charges have been filed to date.
While the district regularly holds debriefings with parents, staff, and students after major events to assess what went well and what needs improvement, this review carries extra significance given the circumstances. Staff will conduct surveys and host optional listening sessions in August and September.
Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Jason Harris spoke to the school board at Wednesday night’s meeting and outlined the district’s response plan. “We’ll gather from all the stakeholder data, and then highlight the themes that we saw. And then we’ll come back, specifically on October 15th, where we’ll have a designated plan on what we need to do for the class of 2026 in their graduation ceremony.”
The district has already begun researching potential changes, including modifications to the venue’s floor plan. Harris explained to the board that they’ve started looking at changing the setup for next time and have consulted with colleagues at other schools. “One of the things we got a chance to do was talk to other school administrators to see what they did? Was it at their school? How was the setup when we looked at Mariucci in some of the metro schools? Their setup is a little different.”
He noted that many schools in the metro set up their seating in a horizontal pattern instead of the longitudinal layout used by District 742. According to Harris, this horizontal arrangement “felt more intimate for the spectators.”
Since the May incident, the district has received unsolicited feedback highlighting several areas needing attention. Community members have emphasized the need for clearer communication about expectations regarding dignity and recognition for each graduate, along with improved safety measures, crowd control, and accessibility for those with language barriers, mobility issues, or sensory needs. They have also called for stricter expectations and enforcement regarding noise, behavior, and decorum during the ceremonies.
The comprehensive review process aims to ensure that future graduation ceremonies maintain their celebratory atmosphere while providing a safe, dignified experience for all attendees.
The district’s recommendations will be implemented for the class of 2026’s graduation.
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