NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — With Fulton County school graduations going virtual, some parents tell Channel 2 Action News they want money they spent on in-person graduations back.
Because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the district has decided to cancel large, in-person gatherings because of social distancing concerns.
“It’s very disappointing the rest of our year has been taken away,” said Westlake High School senior Zurial Jimpson. “It’s not fair ours is being taken away due to the virus.”
Another senior, Kaia Mangul, got choked up when talking about it with Channel 2’s Mike Petchenik.
“It’s horrible,” she said. “We didn’t have that experience.”
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Parents told Petchenik they spent hundreds of dollars for the graduation ceremonies.
“That’s money lost, “ said La-Shaunda Bullard Jimpson. “As of now, there’s no solid plan to accommodate the kids either way whether they can do their own thing for graduation or even get college supplies.”
Bullard Jimpson is looking for a refund.
“They need to take a collective decision just to return everybody’s money,” she said. “Period.”
Fulton County Schools Superintendent Mike Looney told Channel 2’s Justin Farmer the district is looking at how much it can give back to parents.
“To the extent that we can,” he said. “Every school is a little bit different. Every school has invested money into the graduation process in different ways.”
Looney said, for example, funds used to pay for caps and gowns were already spent.
“The schools have been directed to return the money that they can return to the fullest extent possible.”
District spokesman Brian Noyes told Petchenik Wednesday the district has directed schools to seek refunds from third-party vendors hired to produce in-person graduation ceremonies.
“The district directed schools to cancel contracts for off-site venues for May events and we are seeking refunds for any expenditures related to this decision. Those are in various stages of processing.
Most schools worked with third party vendors to spend funds on items like caps and gowns and yearbooks, which are being delivered to students as they come in. Every school is planning alternative virtual graduation celebrations in May. There are some costs associated with these events.
Principals are working with their community to determine what additional celebrations they may want to plan for a time once public health restrictions have been eased to allow for larger gatherings. They will also need to consider the costs and coordinate with those families about expectations for use of current fees available.
Those decisions will determine what potential refund would be available at that school.”
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