Scheduling error could cost students hundreds to attend Concord prom

CONCORD, N.C. — A scheduling error could cost students hundreds of dollars to attend senior prom at Concord High School this year.

"They're torn. The families aren't wanting to lose $400 to $500," said Krystal Walters, who is the sister of one of the school's seniors.

She said her sister is forced to choose between senior prom and a school trip to New York City. If she goes to prom, she'll lose all the money she has already paid to go to New York.

Walters told Channel 9 the school has known for a year that prom would be the last weekend in April, but when they asked students to sign up for a school trip that was scheduled for the same weekend they never told students they would be double-booked.

The mistake could be costly because the student deposits were non-refundable and some have already spent $500.

"(It’s) absurd, ridiculous, devastating for the students," Walters said.

Choosing the New York trip over prom isn't an easy decision for many students because it's the one chance they have to go to their first and only prom.

"They're graduating high school and they accomplished this in their life and this is to celebrate that," Walters said.

Walters told Channel 9 she is pushing the principal to reschedule prom.  She said he told her it's too late to move any of the events that were accidentally scheduled the same weekend.

"I don't think they should have to choose between the two once-in-a-lifetime opportunities," she said.

Walters said the senior year that should have been a series of memorable moments for her sister has turned into a series of schedule setbacks that are stressing students out.

"I don't think it's acceptable." Walters said. "I think that this should not have happened."

Channel 9 has learned most of the students who paid to go on the New York trip did not purchase insurance on their tickets.

Channel 9 contacted the principal and the school district to ask if they will consider taking any action to help get students a refund. We will update this story as soon as we get an answer.

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