Grad Night back at fairgrounds

SANDPOINT — Sandpoint High School seniors have spoken, putting the final stamp on weeks of confusion and bickering over 2009’s Grad Night festivities.

In a 134-86 vote, the students opted to move Grad Night to the Bonner County Fairgrounds, according to school counselor Deb Nusbaum.

The annual party has historically taken place at the fairgrounds, but was scheduled to move to Coeur d’Alene’s Triple Play Family Fun Park this year.

A number of angry parents contacted the event’s planners last week and asked to have the party moved back to the fairgrounds. The move came after parents learned of an informal student poll that indicated a majority of seniors were in favor making Grad Night a local affair, said parent Carlyn Blacker, who lobbied to keep the event in town.

A parents-only vote on the matter early this week ended in a virtual tie between those who wanted the event moved and those in favor of keeping it at Triple Play. To break the tie, both parties agreed to give students the final say.

Before the student vote, Marcia Wilson, who chairs the event’s planning committee, said personal reasons would force her to leave her post if students chose to relocate the event.  Blacker and two other parents will take over Wilson’s duties.

With the matter now settled, Grad Night organizers have only three months to plan for the party.

The committee also lost a $3,000 deposit it gave to Triple Play, according to Wilson.