Someone Needs to Remind Them There's a Graduation Crisis

Really, the district couldn't find a better solution than the police?

COLUMBIA, S.C. - When Rock Hill school officials tell commencement crowds to hold their applause until the end, they mean it — police arrested seven people after they were accused of loud cheering during the ceremonies.

Six people at Fort Mill High School's graduation were charged Saturday and a seventh at the graduation for York Comprehensive High School was charged Friday with disorderly conduct, authorities said. Police said the seven yelled after students' names were called.

"I just thought they were going to escort me out," Jonathan Orr told The Herald of Rock Hill, about 70 miles north of Columbia. "I had no idea they were going to put handcuffs on me and take me to jail."

Airhorns, cowbells, yelling over the names of other kids--that's not OK, and that should be dealt with. But having someone arrested when they cheer the fact that a person they care about graduated from high school, which is a pretty good trick in some parts of the country? That's a waste of money and effort.

The next time this school district says, "We don't have the money for that!", I've got a brilliant way they can save some coin.