Budget proposal includes field trip funding

Field trip funding and an even disbursement of the funds is included in the proposed 2008-09 school year budget.

The $41.8 million proposed budget – which the Board of Education is expected to finalize on April 21 – includes $90,000 in funds for field trips. New guidelines are also being reviewed by the RCS Board of Education that would govern how that funding would be distributed to the individual schools.

The funding would be broken down as follows:

• A.W. Becker Elementary School - $25,000

• Pieter B. Coeymans Elementary School - $25,000

• RCS Middle School - $30,000

• RCS High School - $10,000

This represents 50 percent of the field trip funding going to elementary students, 15 percent going to students in the middle school and 10 percent going to high school students, Assistant Superintendent Diane Albano said. 

In response to the state audit, the district last year placed limits on field trips and stopped field trip fundraising until procedures could be developed to govern the funds collected.

Under the new guidelines, all students are provided with an opportunity to participate in field trips that coincide with the educational curriculum they are learning.

Albano said recognized organizations within the school district could fundraise with fund distribution being overseen by student organizations in grades 5-12.

“Under a teacher supervisor, students must participate in understanding the fiscal implications of budget planning management and accounting for a field trip,” Albano said. “This proposal is in accordance with pamphlet #2 of the state Comptroller’s Office.”