School Committee permits fundraising and preliminary approval for Spain (2025), Costa Rica (2026) and Japan (2026) student trips

The Randolph School Committee authorized teachers to begin fundraising and preliminary enrollment activity for three proposed international student trips: a Spain tour planned for summer 2025, a Costa Rica tour planned for 2026 and a Japan tour planned for 2026. Committee members heard presentations from teachers at Randolph Community Middle School and Randolph High School and a regional consultant from EF Tours, the vendor the district and teachers proposed to use.

The committee voted separately on each trip and recorded approvals that allow teachers and families to promote the tours, use EF's travel pages for student-level fundraising and accept enrollments ahead of final itineraries. Committee members and the tour consultant made clear that final committee re-approval is required before travel: the district will expect a final itinerary that lists hotels, flights, the number of student travelers and chaperones, and the nearest medical facilities before any trip departs.

Presenters and details: Benjamin (who said he goes by McKenna) Rivera, a seventh-grade social studies teacher at Randolph Community Middle School (RCMS), said he is seeking approvals for multiple arrangements, including a Japan proposal for 2026 and a Spain trip already recruiting for summer 2025. Amber Cohen, a Randolph High School science teacher, described a seven-day Costa Rica itinerary that includes cultural and nature activities such as cooking, ziplining and snorkeling. Emily Whipple, the EF Tours consultant for this region, described booking practices and safety protocols and said flights and hotels are generally finalized and released to group leaders approximately two to three months before departure; she also told the committee that EF offers a global liability policy and financial protections for travelers.

Committee concerns and staff directions: Committee members asked for clearer information on chaperone background checks, how fundraising proceeds are tracked, whether out-of-district students or families can sign up, refund policies and liability waivers for adventure activities. Emily Whipple said EF requires criminal background checks for chaperones and that EF offers a $50,000,000 liability policy; she also described a Global Travel Protection travel-insurance option that allows cancellation with reduced penalties if purchased. Committee members asked that teachers return with final itineraries specifying hotels and nearest hospitals and that any school- or community-based fundraising be distributed equitably among enrolled students.

Votes at a glance: The committee took separate recorded votes permitting fundraising and preliminary promotion for each trip; each vote recorded a majority in favor and required staff to bring full trip details back to the committee for final travel approval.

Why it matters: International trips can provide educational and cultural experiences beyond the classroom, but they raise questions about student safety, equity and district oversight. The committee's conditional permissions allow families to begin fundraising while preserving the committee's authority to vet final safety and logistical information before approving travel.