Board Accepts Plan for Improving Proms

The Los Angeles school board has voted 6 to 1 to accept a student committee’s recommendations for improving the time-honored senior prom, even though the committee did not go nearly as far as most members wanted in cutting costs.

“I suppose this is probably the best we can do, given how hooked the kids are on the prom,” board member Roberta Weintraub said in voting with the majority Monday night to accept the students’ suggestions for cutting costs and improving participation and safety.

The 15-member student committee was convened last year after complaints arose about prom costs (sometimes $1,000 or more per couple) and problems with drugs and drinking on prom night. The students suggested holding fund-raisers, publicizing merchants who will give discounts, and having prom goers sign conduct pledges.