Does High School Graduation Cost Too Much?

This week in the Parent Patch, we're talking about the cost of a high school graduation in Elk Grove. Parents who've waited until spring will be forking over $55 between now and graduation day to get their seniors the cap, gown and tassel required for participation in the Elk Grove Unified School District's graduation ceremony at Power Balance Pavilion. And that doesn't include other senior-year costs like yearbooks (up to $90, depending on the school) or prom tickets (up to $80).

Reader Rose Cassidy writes, "Elk Grove Unified School District gives exclusive rights to Jostens (a graduation supply company) to come onto the high school campus and sell graduation gowns along with other high priced graduation items. I've seen pricing as low as $14.95 with [other] online graduation companies. Think about all the other costs a parent has to put out for graduation...graduation trip, senior activities, pictures etc. Parents don't need to ripped off with a graduation gown that's only going to be worn once."

Elk Grove Patch talked to local Jostens sales representative Jeff Lane, who said his prices reflect the challenge of ordering custom sizes and responding to last-minute requests. He said the company donates a few gowns every year for students who experience financial hardship. "If our prices weren't competitive, we wouldn't be in the business," he said.

What do you think?