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Board amends field‑trip policy to let superintendent approve international trips and inform board
Summary
The board altered wording in a draft policy to continue the district’s practice of deferring approval of international field trips to the superintendent, while requiring the superintendent to inform the board of approved trips (for example via consent agenda). The change follows committee discussion and staff research about authority and statute.
Rockford Public Schools’ Board of Education amended language in its spring policy update to allow the superintendent to approve international field trips while requiring the district to inform the board of trips approved as district‑sponsored.
At a second reading of the spring policy update, Dr. Corey Wilco explained staff research showed there is no statutory requirement that the board itself must approve international trips and that the governing body can delegate that authority. The draft policy had followed a vendor template (Neola) that would have required board approval.
“There's no statutory requirement for it to be the board of education,” Dr. Wilco said when answering a board question about Section 23 40 in the draft policy. Board members discussed whether requiring board approval for every international trip would be an unnecessary burden on staff and teachers.
Several board members said they preferred continuing past practice — the superintendent’s approval — but wanted a notice or reporting mechanism to keep the board informed. One board member suggested posting approved international trips on a consent agenda or including them in the board packet; another suggested an annual or post‑approval report. The board then moved, seconded and approved the policy package with the agreed amendment that the superintendent approves and informs the board.
Administrators said international trips are planned well in advance and often occur multiple times per year — examples mentioned included choir tours, a Costa Rica trip and other curricular travel — and that advance notification through a consent agenda or routine report would be feasible.
With the amendment adopted, district practice will remain that the superintendent may approve international trips; the board will receive notice of approved, district‑sponsored international travel.
