During the District 7 board meeting on Sept. 23 announced a change in the date of graduation for the 2025 class. Graduation will now be held on Sunday, June 1.

When asked when an official statement would be sent out to parents and students, Fox said that it had already been done. The only statement about the change of graduation was made in the superintendent’s report from a board meeting in the second to last bullet point.

“No communication was sent directly to me or my parents from the school or district,” senior Roaa Fatori said.

Students like Fatori believe that the change was not needed.

“For years it’s been the same date, and everyone’s been used to it. Parents, older siblings and people who work will have to go back the next day or call off because it will be on a Sunday. I just see no point to it.” said Fatori.

When asked why the decision was not made further in advance, Fox said, “The decision was made eight months in advance, I would say that’s fairly fair.”

Family members of graduating seniors like Aliyya Goodsell feel that eight months is not enough time to plan properly due to their job. Goodsell’s job requires a one-year advance for potential time-off request.

Considering the academic calendar previously stated that graduation would be on May 31 this year, the change in date has led to some frustration.

“It’s frustration when you live out of state and try to make plans in advance, only to have them changed after the school year has started,” Goodsell said.

In the past few years, graduation conflicted with girls soccer and boys baseball state competition.

“Graduation does normally fall on the weekend of state for girls soccer and also sometimes boys baseball,” senior soccer player Olivia Lautz said.

This recurring conflict with teams led to several seniors missing their graduation over the years. Lautz recalls four seniors last year that were forced to miss, “If we do go to state this year there would be a lot more girls that would have to miss [their graduation] because we have more seniors.”

Although state will not interfere with graduation for either sport this year, there is no clear plan for the graduation date in the years to come. Fox said he is unsure how long these changes will remain permanent.

“I don’t think student athletes should have to choose between their graduation and state competition,” said Lautz.