Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Trips topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves two middle‑school trips to Washington, D.C.; cost and schedule details presented
Summary
The school committee approved two out‑of‑state field trips for middle‑school grade groups to Washington, D.C., next May; the cost per student was estimated at about $1,100 and the trips are four days and three nights.
The North Middlesex Regional School Committee approved two out‑of‑state field‑trip requests for middle‑school grade groups to travel to Washington, D.C., in May 2026, allowing the schools to lock in travel pricing and plan logistics.
Lauren Young, the trip organizer representing Hawthorne Brook and Mississippit (as presented to the committee), described the proposed four‑day, three‑night itinerary. Students previously paid about $1,000 for a similar trip this year; the presenter said next year’s price is expected to be about $1,100 per student. The updated itinerary proposes an additional stop in New York City on the way to Washington so students could visit One World Trade Center and see the Statue of Liberty by ferry before arriving in Washington.
Committee members praised the experiential learning value of the trips. “It is a tremendous trip. The kids really have a wonderful time,” the presenter said. Committee Member Randy Roche thanked the organizers and encouraged the program’s continuation as a growth opportunity for students.
A motion to approve both field‑trip requests was moved and seconded. The committee voted, with one early abstention noted while a member briefly left and rejoined the meeting; the motion carried and the trips were approved. Administrators said they had sought earlier approval to secure better pricing and asked families to contact trip organizers for payment schedules, fundraising, and scholarship or hardship support.
No formal district subsidy was approved at the meeting; families were advised the district will continue to consider hardship waivers on a case‑by‑case basis and that the organizer and school staff will publish trip details and payment deadlines to families.
