Wayne County Wants To Quiet Parents During Graduation Ceremonies

Wayne County School

Board wants parents to do.

Some board members said it is time to crack down on the cheering at high school graduations. They said some parents are so loud, the names of other students' names being announced cannot be heard over the noise.

The school board has not made a formal proposal, but members agree some guidelines may be necessary. Some schools in the county have 300 or more graduates.

"If we can get them to understand, yes, it's important, but it's important for all and in order for everyone to benefit, everyone must cooperate," said Gerald Whitley, a former Wayne County principal.

The school system said parents can cheer as loud as they like after all names are read.

"It's a formal ceremony, actually, and students and the public need to understand that there are certain ceremonies in life that require a degree of decorum," said Olivia Pierce, Community Relations director.

A few schools in other counties have taken a tough approach, even asking deputies to escort rowdy guests away.

Wayne County Public Schools will graduate 1,061 seniors at the end of this school year.