Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 21:56     Subject: Graduation 2026
Anonymous wrote:There is a substantial cost to having it at the school. It was $30,000 3 years ago. It is cheaper to have it at UMBC.


One high school offered to fundraise to have the event at their own school rather then UMBC. McPS told them no.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 21:55     Subject: Graduation 2026
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There is a substantial cost to having it at the school. It was $30,000 3 years ago. It is cheaper to have it at UMBC.


But that's a whole lotta cars driving far to the venue fuel prices, etc


+1. Plus the cost of people’s extra time to get to a far away venue.

Lots of loved ones aren’t going to be able to attend a graduation at a venue an hour away each direction on a weekday. Not everyone has transport or can get that extra time off from work…

McPS is just rewarding someone in Baltimore and pushing costs onto MCPS families.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 21:53     Subject: Graduation 2026
Anonymous wrote:There is a substantial cost to having it at the school. It was $30,000 3 years ago. It is cheaper to have it at UMBC.


But that's a whole lotta cars driving far to the venue fuel prices, etc
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 21:52     Subject: Graduation 2026
There are several farms in Montgomery county. Can any of them accommodate the 16k graduates plus guests?
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 21:44     Subject: Graduation 2026
There is a substantial cost to having it at the school. It was $30,000 3 years ago. It is cheaper to have it at UMBC.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 21:24     Subject: Graduation 2026
Anonymous wrote:Maybe if College Park and DAR didn't charge the county like 3x what UMBC is charging then we wouldn't have to make the switch. With all the budget talks going on, do we really want to be spending over a quarter of a million just to host graduations?


We could take it out of Taylor’s budget for swag and snow day videos. And there would still be money leftover.

And kids could graduate in the county they attended Hs in.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 21:22     Subject: Graduation 2026
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Maybe if College Park and DAR didn't charge the county like 3x what UMBC is charging then we wouldn't have to make the switch. With all the budget talks going on, do we really want to be spending over a quarter of a million just to host graduations?


Mc has space and Mcps gives them a small fortune. Or, the field. You are right, we should spend umbc either.


MC is a good option in my opinion. They have a huge space with an air conditioned tent in a reasonably accessible part of the county. Lots to like about it.

I’m not sure why it doesn’t seem to work out.


Politics.

Bad planning? In other words, typical MCPS. I can’t think of any other school district that spends so much money to do graduations at such an inconvenient location out of the county.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 21:20     Subject: Graduation 2026
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Maybe if College Park and DAR didn't charge the county like 3x what UMBC is charging then we wouldn't have to make the switch. With all the budget talks going on, do we really want to be spending over a quarter of a million just to host graduations?


Mc has space and Mcps gives them a small fortune. Or, the field. You are right, we should spend umbc either.


MC is a good option in my opinion. They have a huge space with an air conditioned tent in a reasonably accessible part of the county. Lots to like about it.

I’m not sure why it doesn’t seem to work out.


Politics.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 21:19     Subject: Graduation 2026
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Each student walks across the stage.

There is handicapped seating in the stands (not on the floor) and they have dedicated people to help the elderly/handicapped. It's actually very easy/convenient.

Parking is fine, but the ring road gets congested. Unless your ceremony is in the AM, plan to be there early to sit in that traffic.

All sightlines are good. Acoustics are good.

Overall, UMBC is a nice place to have graduation!


It’s unkind to those with health and other issues, including lack of transportation. It should be with our county or they provide transportation.


Our school offers a round trip luxury bus for $1 per person.


That’s nice. Ours doesn’t.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 21:12     Subject: Graduation 2026
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Each student walks across the stage.

There is handicapped seating in the stands (not on the floor) and they have dedicated people to help the elderly/handicapped. It's actually very easy/convenient.

Parking is fine, but the ring road gets congested. Unless your ceremony is in the AM, plan to be there early to sit in that traffic.

All sightlines are good. Acoustics are good.

Overall, UMBC is a nice place to have graduation!


It’s unkind to those with health and other issues, including lack of transportation. It should be with our county or they provide transportation.


Our school offers a round trip luxury bus for $1 per person.


Is it one bus first come first serve, or will they get additional buses as people sign up? Meaning 700 kids and 4 guests/kid, is that about 2800 people who are riding to and from UMBC?

Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 21:03     Subject: Graduation 2026
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Maybe if College Park and DAR didn't charge the county like 3x what UMBC is charging then we wouldn't have to make the switch. With all the budget talks going on, do we really want to be spending over a quarter of a million just to host graduations?


Mc has space and Mcps gives them a small fortune. Or, the field. You are right, we should spend umbc either.


MC is a good option in my opinion. They have a huge space with an air conditioned tent in a reasonably accessible part of the county. Lots to like about it.

I’m not sure why it doesn’t seem to work out.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 21:00     Subject: Graduation 2026
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Each student walks across the stage.

There is handicapped seating in the stands (not on the floor) and they have dedicated people to help the elderly/handicapped. It's actually very easy/convenient.

Parking is fine, but the ring road gets congested. Unless your ceremony is in the AM, plan to be there early to sit in that traffic.

All sightlines are good. Acoustics are good.

Overall, UMBC is a nice place to have graduation!


It’s unkind to those with health and other issues, including lack of transportation. It should be with our county or they provide transportation.


Our school offers a round trip luxury bus for $1 per person.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 19:42     Subject: Graduation 2026
Just think about it: drive 45-90 min one way. Students have to be there earlier. Guests wait for 30 min. 2 hours or so ceremony. Meeting up and photos 30 min. Getting out, driving to eat or go home: 45-90 min. An entire school day. Have it on the athletic fields.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 17:49     Subject: Graduation 2026
Anonymous wrote:Maybe if College Park and DAR didn't charge the county like 3x what UMBC is charging then we wouldn't have to make the switch. With all the budget talks going on, do we really want to be spending over a quarter of a million just to host graduations?


Mc has space and Mcps gives them a small fortune. Or, the field. You are right, we should spend umbc either.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 17:48     Subject: Graduation 2026
Anonymous wrote:Maybe if College Park and DAR didn't charge the county like 3x what UMBC is charging then we wouldn't have to make the switch. With all the budget talks going on, do we really want to be spending over a quarter of a million just to host graduations?


Have it on the school's fields