What was supposed to be a big, proud night for Putnam City High seniors in northwest Oklahoma City turned into a storm-soaked scramble last Friday, after severe weather pushed graduation indoors and left families packed shoulder to shoulder in the school’s hallways. The last-minute move, prompted by lightning and heavy rain, had some seniors and parents walking out as others tried to navigate ticket rules and find any open seat they could. The district has since apologized and says it is taking a hard look at what went wrong.
What families said
Parent Tisha White told reporters the ceremony had already started when staff instructed everyone to leave the stadium for the auditorium as storms approached. Families said they were jammed into narrow corridors for “a good 20 minutes, 30 minutes” while they waited to see whether they would get inside. Tickets that were supposed to control access to the stadium were suddenly being used to limit entry to the auditorium as well, which meant some relatives never got a seat at all.
Senior Gia White said she texted her mother that “it wasn’t worth it anymore” and decided to leave after seeing people fighting inside the building. Several parents also said that once they were indoors, cell service dropped off and district text alerts did not come through, according to KOCO.
District response
Putnam City Schools later released a statement that struck a notably contrite tone. “We have heard you, read your messages, listened to your phone calls, and sat with the weight of your frustration and disappointment,” the district said, acknowledging that “what happened Friday could have been done better.”
The district said administrators have spent time “listening and reviewing” how decisions were made and communicated the night of graduation and pledged to work to prevent a repeat. The statement noted that the Class of 2026 included roughly 350 to 400 students, according to KOCO…