The Carrollton High School Class of 2018 is the largest in CHS history, causing a logistical concern in managing the crowd at graduation, Dr. Mark Albertus, superintendent, informed the Carrollton Board of Education at its work session Thursday morning.

Albertus said he and CHS Principal David Brooks have been reviewing plans to better accommodate the growing crowd of spectators and have come up with a solution to keep graduation in Grisham Stadium – a priority, he said, to all in the Trojan Nation.

“It has become increasingly clear we needed to do something,” said Brooks, who said last year’s crowd was so large, spectators wrapping around the fence to the scoreboard had to stand up during the entire ceremony. “With at least 60 more students graduating this year, it will only be worse.”

The plan, Brooks said, to accommodate the overflow is to use the visitors stands, which traditionally have been closed during graduation. By doing this, it would require placing the graduation stage at the 20-yard line parallel to the Whitley Morris Field House to allow all spectators a clear view of all graduates crossing the stage.

Albertus said he and CHS Principal David Brooks have been reaching out to former and current graduates, their parents, and others, and that they have not received any negative feedback about making the change, especially since it will make the ceremony more enjoyable for everyone.

“We know change is hard, but this adjustment is our only recourse to keep graduation in Grisham Stadium, a proud tradition we all can appreciate,” said Albertus.

Carrollton High School’s graduation will be held Friday, May 18, at 8:00 p.m. with gates opening for family and guests at 6:30. In case of inclement weather, graduation will be moved to Saturday, May 19, at 10 a.m. in the stadium.