Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Travel topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board gives preliminary approval for Nicollet Middle School chess team trip to SuperNationals; fundraising under way
Summary
The board gave initial approval for up to 22 students and staff from Nicollet Middle School to travel to the National Middle School Chess Championships in Orlando May 8–13; the coach reported $26,000 raised so far and additional fundraising (silent auction) underway to cover costs for students in need.
The Board granted preliminary approval on March 13 for the Nicollet Middle School chess team to travel to the National Middle School Chess Championships in Orlando, Florida, May 8–13, pending final approvals and compliance with district policy for extended field trips.
Mr. Brian Ribnick, district chess coordinator and coach, asked the board to approve travel for 22 chess team members to compete in the SuperNationals, which he described as “forecasted to be the biggest chess tournament in the history of the world” with an expected 10,000 participants. Ribnick said the team would compete Thursday through Sunday and use Monday and Tuesday for limited sightseeing before returning.
Ribnick told the board the program begins fundraising immediately after each prior national event; for the 2025 trip he said the group had raised approximately $26,000 to date and expected to reach $30,000 by departure, with the current silent auction raising about $13,000 in donated items. He emphasized the program’s effort to make travel possible for students who otherwise could not afford it and to expose students to new experiences.
Directors asked about fundraising, and Ribnick described ongoing efforts (silent auction and donations). Board members praised the chess program; several directors and parents in the audience recounted how participation had changed students’ futures. The board’s initial approval will allow staff and the coach to continue trip preparations and fundraising; the district will follow its policy (6.10) for extended trips when students would miss three or more school days.
The board approved the preliminary request by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript for this item. Final approval will depend on standard field-trip paperwork and compliance with district policy.
