District does not stray too far a field with field trip regulations, funding

Assistant Superintendent Diane Albano, Ed.D. outlined for the board on Monday the current status of field trips and fundraising in the district.

First and foremost, Dr. Albano said the district's philosophy remains "that every child should have an opportunity to participate in field trips."

She said that the process for students taking field trips has changed in response to state audit recommendations, but that field trips continue and the fundraising for field trips is allowed.

Under the new guidelines, Albano said recognized organizations within the district – such as clubs and athletic teams - can fundraise with fund distribution for those trips being overseen by student organizations in grades 5-12.

“The students are the ones that have the responsibility for accounting for the funds raised by the clubs for the trips," Superintendent Vicki Wright said.

A basis for all field trips, though, remains that they fit the educational curriculum the students are learning. This would include a trip to a whale watch for students learning about the ocean or a trip to the Medieval Times restaurant for students learning about the Middle Ages.

Wright also reported that $89,900 is included in the proposed 2008-09 budget proposal. The proposal represents the total of the requests made by the individual school building leadership teams through the respective principals, she said.

The district last year stopped field trip fundraising on the recommendation of then Business Administrator Gene Grasso, who was reacting to state audit recommendations.

“We hope the new guidelines and procedures address the concerns that we have heard expressed from our parents and others,” said Dr. Albano.