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Yearbook club overnight trip to New York City approved 6–3 after safety debate
Summary
After extended discussion about campus protests at Columbia and Barnard, the board voted to approve the yearbook club’s overnight trip to New York City next week; the final roll-call tally recorded at the meeting was 6–3 in favor.
The Elizabethtown Area School District board voted to approve an overnight field trip for nine yearbook students to attend a conference at Barnard College/Columbia University in New York City, concluding a lengthy discussion about student safety and parental notification.
Motion and vote Board member Missus Carter moved to approve the trip; a second was recorded. After public comment and debate—during which several board members and members of the public raised safety concerns related to ongoing protests near Columbia University and Barnard College—the board took a roll-call vote and recorded the final tally as 6–3 in favor. District staff said registration fees would be processed only after the board’s decision.
Safety concerns and administration response Several board members opposed approving the trip, citing recent on-campus demonstrations at Columbia and Barnard, reports of arrests related to protests and media accounts of escalating tensions. Administrators reported that the conference organizers had told the district the campus would be closed to the public during the conference, that participants would be badged, and that the college had increased public-safety staffing and mobile and foot patrols. Board members requested that administration confirm that parents of participating students have been made fully aware of current conditions; the superintendent said advisors had been in touch with parents and that students had submitted permission slips but that the board’s direction could prompt further outreach.
Logistics and costs Administrators told the board the group’s fundraising had reduced student costs to about $25 each; the district’s share of chaperone time and supervision was the basis for the board’s safety discussion. The advisor had not yet paid the conference registration while awaiting the board’s decision.
What the vote means With the board’s approval the advisor may finalize payments and the trip will proceed as planned next week. Administrators said they would make follow-up outreach to parents and ensure usual chaperone and safety procedures were in place.
Ending: The board’s roll-call vote at the workshop recorded the trip as approved, 6–3; administration will follow up with parents and complete registration steps.
