The New Milford Board of Education discussed a proposed international trip to China and the superintendent said she would likely recommend approval at the next regular meeting if the trip satisfies newly revised field-trip policies and required parent assurances.

The nut graf: After revising the district’s international-trip procedures over the summer, administrators said they now require more thorough vetting, parent meetings explaining costs and risks, and written insurance guarantees that would permit cancellation and refunds should travel advisories change.

Details: Dr. Pucci described the background: last year she recommended against a China trip because the itinerary and approvals were presented too quickly under the old policy. Over the summer the district rewrote its field-trip policy to strengthen vetting for international travel. Staff told the board the travel advisory for China is currently at level 2 (down from 3 last year) and that itinerary destinations are generally “tend to be very safe.” The trip leaders supplied cost estimates and a curriculum rationale tied to Mandarin coursework.

Conditions and expectations: Dr. Pucci said she wants parent meetings that fully disclose costs, visas and passport requirements and insurance mechanics. She asked that the tour operator provide a written guarantee that, if an official travel advisory rises to level 3, the company would cancel the trip and return funds. She also said she would participate in at least one parent meeting. The board did not vote on approval during the work session; Dr. Pucci said she would likely recommend formal approval at the next regular session if those conditions are met.

Quote: “Should everything be done the way it’s supposed to be and it checks out, you know, I have no problem with it,” Dr. Pucci said, describing the proposed itinerary and safety checks.

Ending: No motion was taken at the work session. Administrators will schedule parent meetings, secure written cancellation/insurance assurances from the vendor, and return with a recommendation to the full board.