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By Myrna Trauntvein Todd Quarnberg, Juab High School Principal, presented the Juab School District Board of Education with a survey he had done of parents and students in the district that indicated a desire to move graduation to Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem for the Class of 2026. He said that 191 parents responded to the survey. “To the question: Are you in favor of moving graduation to UVU? There were 27.7 percent who voted no and 72.3 percent who voted yes,” said Quarnberg. “To the question: If held at the high school would you need more than six tickets? There were 36.6 percent who said no and 63.4 percent who said yes,” he said. He had 85 student responses from seniors. In grades 9-12, the high school has an enrollment of 887 students, but Senior Class numbers were not mentioned. When it came to moving graduation to UVU, 78.8 percent of those students responding to the survey said yes and 21.2 percent said no. In addition, 78.8 percent indicated they would need more than six tickets and 21.2 percent said they would not. “The summary of responses indicated the need for increased attendance/seating,” he said. “The current limit of six tickets per student is insufficient for many families, especially blended and large immediate families, resulting in siblings and grandparents being excluded.” The high school gym is too small and is often crowded, hot and leads to disputes over seat-saving. He said there were some community concerns about moving the event to UVU. “Drawbacks include the inconvenience of the drive, traffic, difficult parking, the ceremony feeling less personal/intimate, being rushed, and potential cost. The distance is a concern for older family members who cannot travel far,” said Quarnberg. However, he said, he had been at graduations held there and found them to move smoothly and accommodate a large crowd. He said that there seemed to be a preference for local alternatives with many respondents suggesting the football field or the fairgrounds arena as local alternatives within the community to accommodate more people while avoiding the drive to UVU. “Those in favor of UVU believe the drive is manageable, the venue offers comfortable seating, better visibility, more space, which is necessary as the community and graduating classes grow,” he said. Some wanted to preserve the local tradition, he said. “Some preferred keeping the graduation at the high school for the ‘hometown feel,’ tradition and the convenience of staying in town,” said Quarnberg. “This will be an administrative decision,” said Dr. Kodey Hughes, superintendent. “There is still a lot of work to be done.” “It will be a high school decision,” said Janet Ware, board president pro temper. Hughes thanked Quarnberg for keeping the board in the loop as he moves forward with making a decision with staff and with the graduating class and their parents.
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