High school foreign language teachers told the board on Sept. 10 they are exploring a student trip to the United Kingdom, France and Spain and requested permission to gauge student and family interest before seeking formal approval. Hannah (teacher) and colleagues described an all-inclusive itinerary with Explorica that would include airfare, hotels, two meals per day and entrance fees, and said a minimum of about 10 students would be needed to operate the trip this year, with the district considering a 2026 travel window.

Presenters said organizers prefer tour companies that keep hotels near city centers and provide bilingual tour guides; they cited prior trips to Costa Rica and described Explorica as including a 24/7 tour guide who stays with the group. Teachers discussed costs and fundraising challenges and emphasized a desire to avoid a situation in which only students from families with means could attend; they said the district has benefactors and sponsors who in the past provided large donations and that organizers will pursue scholarships and other supports so the opportunity can be broadly accessible.

The presenters asked the board for permission to solicit interest and begin preliminary planning; they said if fewer than 10 students commit, they would postpone the trip to the next year. Board members responded that exploring interest and potential benefactors is appropriate and that district staff should be mindful of equitable access. No formal vote was taken; this item was informational and a request to begin outreach.