Shaler Area School Board member pushes back on new graduation gowns

Less than a month after Shaler Area School District unveiled its new, universal graduation gowns to the public, school board member Edward Kress attempted to introduce a new plan for the rollout of the gowns – including the possibility of reverting back to the separate blue and white gowns.

At the Sept. 14 school board meeting, Kress proposed that the classes of 2023 and 2024 should make the decision via a majority vote on whether to wear the traditional blue and white gowns or an alternative cap and gown. He proposed that if the students voted for the alternative graduation garb, then the Student Government should set up a committee to review the caps and gowns for their class’s commencement ceremony.

The move towards one unified graduation gown for all students began in June 2020 when the district received a letter from a group of alumni asking school administration and the school board to try and create a more diverse and inclusive school environment for all students, including those who may feel marginalized.

Traditionally, graduating girls wore white while graduating boys donned blue gowns.

“We moved away from that some years ago and students could choose to wear whatever color, regardless of their gender,” said Bethany Baker, district spokeswoman.

The majority of the class of 2022 chose to wear traditional gown colors, she said. However, many students did not, Baker added.

After multiple board discussions and meetings with administration, board members and students, in December 2021, an announcement was made that the district would move forward with a unified gown for all students.

A contest was held at the high school to design a new gown. Three students took part in the contest and all three designs were submitted to Jostens, the company that provides the gowns to the district, to have them render previews of each design.

The renderings were presented by the activities department to student government leaders, and one style was chosen to present to the school board.

During late summer of 2022, school administration reviewed the design and worked with Jostens to make some small adjustments, with the final design being shared with student leaders before the first day of the school to obtain feedback.

The school district released the gown design in August — a navy robe with white and red fabric on the cuffs, which is paired with a navy mortarboard, all of which incorporate the school’s colors.

When Kress introduced his plan, reactions from other board members came swiftly.

“We work as a team here,” said school board member Tim Gapsky. “You did this on your own with no discussion with any other board member.”

Board members began to argue back and forth and voices were raised.

School board president April Kwiatkowski brought the meeting back to order, stating that the meeting would end immediately if other members would not stop talking over each other. Shortly after, the meeting was adjourned.

Gapsky said Kress’s “heart was in the right place,” but “he should have gotten facts and opinions from others” prior to trying to change the plans already in place.

“The district is focused on creating an inclusive and equitable school culture, and the intent of this new graduation gown design is to start a new tradition that will see the district through the next 50 years,” said district superintendent Dr. Sean Aiken.

Gapsky said that he believes Kress can be a positive influence within the district and looks forward to working with him in the future.

A town hall is being held by district administration and the school board at 6 p.m. Sept. 28 to “outline the timeline of events that led to the decision for Shaler Area to transition to one, unified graduation gown design as well as the factors that went into creating that design.”

Because it is a Town Hall, no other district business will be discussed and no action will be taken.