Parents: Seating Fiasco Avoidable

BROOKSVILLE - The whole Hernando High School graduation fiasco that left panicked parents outside last Tuesday's ceremony could have been solved with a little "scootch to the left."
But it wasn't, prompting repeated accusations from parents and an equal number of sincere apologies from district officials at a Monday evening meeting at the school.
"We screwed up in a major way," Superintendent Wayne Alexander said. "Administration in this building did not communicate, and there are no words we can say to make this better other than 'I'm sorry.' We simply screwed up, and I'm upset that you're upset."
Filled to capacity, the gym could have accommodated 1,928 people, but instead was closed at 1,800, including those onstage.
"There could have been enough (space)," assistant principal Mark Griffith said.
A small crowd of slightly more than a dozen parents attended the meeting, which school board chairwoman Sandra Nicholson called last week to clear to air.
One parent complained that even after 70 teachers were moved out to make room for more parents, there were still seats being taken up by nonessential faculty. Meanwhile, dozens of friends and family members were denied access to the ceremony and guided into the auditorium to watch the ceremony from a large-screen TV.
Alexander blamed the problem on a "lack of supervision and communication," and said the issue has been addressed with the administrator responsible for the decision.
Brooksville resident Jamie Brooks, who was allowed into the gym late but was forced to leave several family members in the auditorium, said an apology is owed to the Hernando County Sheriff's deputies manning the gym's doors, many of whom bore the brunt of parents' anger.
"The deputies got thrown under the bus, and they didn't deserve that," she said.
Nicholson explained that the main reason the ceremony was moved inside several years ago was because the skies opened up during the graduation.
"I can excuse God for the (weather), but not (you) for making me miss my son's graduation," parent Rick Stone said.
Misleading rumors about administrative comments also caused emotions to run high, as parents accused district officials of blaming the problem on parents arriving to the ceremony late.
But even the officials grew tired of apologizing.
"I'm not going to sit here and tell the superintendent he has to fire somebody on the spot," Nicholson said. "If all you want is blood, it's not going to happen."
She said two county boards - the Hernando County Fair Board and Tourist Development Board - have been working together to come up with a plan for a building at the fairgrounds large enough to accommodate graduations.
Alexander promised that all parents will receive a complimentary DVD of the ceremony upon request, and officials assured parents the mishap will not happen again.
Next year's graduation date has already been set for June 2, with a rain date of June 3.
Either way, it will be held outside at the school's stadium, and there will be an organized seating process in place to make sure everyone is seated, Nicholson said.
Nicholson also reminded parents to call her anytime with concerns.
The panel of district officials at the meeting also included executive director of school services Sonya Jackson and assistant principals Lorna Lowe and Dianne Saltsman.
Notably absent from the meeting was the school's current principal, Betty Harper, as well as incoming principal Ken Pritz, who were both on vacation.