High school students in Lafayette Parish have a new graduation date.
According to a spokesperson for the Cajundome, they contacted the Lafayette Parish School Board to determine alternate dates for the 2019 high school graduation ceremonies because of two large concert requests for the dates of May 14 and May 18.
Director of the Cajundome Pam Deville said she found out about the concerts last week and didn’t want to miss the opportunity. Deville aid she wouldn’t have made the decision had graduation not been able to be rescheduled.
“Concerts are on tour, so they have set available open dates. Those were the only dates they were willing to come to our market, so if we’d passed, we wouldn’t have gotten the concerts. And, nowadays, we definitely want as many concerts as we can get,” Deville said
The Cajundome offered the alternative dates May 10-11 or May 24-25 to Superintendent Don Aguillard and the school board.
The spokesperson says the school board decided on May 10-11 with rehearsals on Thursday, May 9.
In a statement, the spokesperson writes, “The Cajundome made this request based on what is in the best interest of the Cajundome and its employees and the City of Lafayette. Moreover, the LPSS also benefits from a 4% sales tax on ticket sales and ancillary income, such as food and beverages. The Cajundome and its management team feel that the impact these large concerts provide to the community is too significant to pass up.”
The Cajundome says they are looking forward to working with LPSS again on this year’s graduation ceremonies.
“If you look at the big picture, it’s important for this building and the city to be as successful as possible, and anything we can do to bring up the financial stability of this community, it’s our fiduciary responsibility to do it. I understand the inconvenience, but I’m just hoping everyone understands our position and know that we only did it with the best of intentions,” Deville said.
The performer(s) has not been announced.
Invitations for all high schools will have to be reprinted at a cost that has yet to be determined. Schools and students will not have to carry the financial burden of reprinting announcement, according to LPSS. The Cajundome
REHEARSALS (dates & times)
Thursday, May 9
David Thibodaux Stem 7:30 am – 9:30 am
Northside 10:00 am – 12: 00 pm
Comeaux 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Lafayette 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Friday, May 10
Carencro 7:30 am – 9:30 am
Acadiana 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
GRADUATION DAY (dates & times)
Friday, May 10
David Thibodaux Stem 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Northside 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Saturday, May 11
Carencro 8:00 am – 9:30 am
Comeaux 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Lafayette 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Acadiana 5:30 -7:00 pm
