SC parents fume, were locked out of graduation

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Some parents and family members are fuming after being locked out of a high school graduation for coming late.

WLTX reports (http://on.wltx.com/Lbg3Wi ) the gates to the football stadium at Lugoff-Elgin High School were locked minutes after graduation ceremonies began Saturday morning. School officials say they locked the gates at 9:02 a.m. and latecomers were told they could watch on television in the school’s auditorium.

Principal Thomas Gladden says latecomers would have disturbed those already seated because people have to enter the stadium from the bottom and climb stands through the crowd.

Gladden says he met with students, who were handed instructions that stressed the time of the ceremony. The principal also said about 360 automated voice messages went out to seniors on Friday that emphasized the ceremony’s starting time.

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Information from: WLTX-TV, http://www.wltx.com