Sun Dome Graduations Might be Out for Hillsborough

High school students who have been dreaming of collecting their diplomas at the newly renovated University of South Florida Sun Dome in the coming years just might have to keep dreaming.

The Hillsborough County School Board is leaning toward keeping all high school graduations at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall. In years past, graduations were split between the two venues, but the at the Sun Dome forced all ceremonies into the Expo Hall for the last two years.

The arrangement, board members say, has worked well and saved the district about $43,000 this year alone.

According to The Tampa Tribune, the cost savings coupled with a seemingly better design at the Expo Hall are making the board lean toward the possibility of maintaining the status quo despite the planned Sept. 14 grand reopening of the Sun Dome.

"For one thing, I think Expo Hall lends itself much better to our parents' involvement," The Tribune quoted board member Jack Lamb as saying. "Just by the layout, they are a lot closer. They felt much more a part of the whole thing."

What do you think? Should the school board keep graduations at the Expo Hall or go back to the Sun Dome/Expo Hall split? Let us know in the comments section.