Senior Class Trip Approved With A Caveat

The this week approved a senior class trip to Disney World. But not before president Heather Nicholas got her point across in the form of a money-saving amendment for the district.

The board was poised Tuesday to approve the planned May trip that carried a maximum district cost of $1,200 for as many as four substitute teachers for three days to cover for full-time teachers going on the trip.

Nicholas said she is all for class trips but not in favor of the district shouldering the cost for subs.

“We've got to pay for textbooks,” she said.

On Wednesday, she added, “With this class being the first in a long time to make AYP (Annual Yearly Progress federal standard), I did not feel as though we should deny them the opportunity, however with our extremely tight budgets, I could not justify the district spending the (substitute) money on a trip when we have numerous other items the district needs.”

In response to Nicholas' suggestion, the board gave its approval to the trip with the caveat that there is no cost to the district, with the thought being that parents and students would pick up the cost for subs.

Students generally pay about $1,000 each for their trips, with the cost offset to some degree by fundraisers that take place over their four years of high school, Superintendent David Baugh explained.

“If 100 students go, it would equate to $12 per student (for subs),” Nicholas said. “Last year only 88 students went on the trip.”

The chaperones are the senior and junior class advisers with more adults sometimes added based on the number of students attending, Nicholas explained.

On Wednesday, Baugh said the subs may not be needed.

“We are looking to have some central office people attend so that the cost will be less to the students,” he said.

The senior class is planning to stay at the Disney All Star Sports Resort from May 17 through 21.