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RSU 04 board approves Academic Decathlon trip to national competition in Des Moines

2607448 · March 13, 2025

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Summary

The RSU 04 School Board approved the high school Academic Decathlon team’s plan to attend the national competition in Des Moines April 30–May 4. The team of 17 travelers has raised most of the roughly $15,000 cost and is not requesting additional district funds.

The RSU 04 School Board voted to approve the high school Academic Decathlon team’s trip to the national competition in Des Moines, scheduled April 30–May 4, after hearing a presentation from the team’s coach and students.

Derek Anderson, the Academic Decathlon teacher-coach, told the board the team has 17 travelers and that the total cost for the trip is “almost $15,000,” of which students and families have raised $13,370. He said the team is not asking the board for additional funding and that “a little over $4,000” is already budgeted in the co-curricular account to help cover costs.

The board heard brief remarks from competing students. Sophie, a sophomore, said of the national meet: “It was a great experience to be able to compete and be able to meet people from so many different states. It’s just truly a wonderful experience.” Everett, a freshman, said, “I would really hope to learn it and get better and progress my academic skills and see what’s out there.”

Anderson described local fundraising efforts to close the remaining gap: a McDonald’s on Lisbon Street committed 10% of sales on a forthcoming date, students will sell coffee, and the team is hosting an Applebee’s fundraiser on March 27 from 4 to 9 p.m. He asked the board to approve the travel request; the board moved, seconded and approved the request without additional conditions.

The board’s vote came during an agenda adjustment that placed public comment and the travel request earlier in the meeting. After the vote board members praised the students and the coach and members of the public were invited to contribute to fundraising.