Student-led mock commission votes to coordinate Coral Springs 5th-grade field trip to Museum of Art

In a student-run mock City Commission meeting at Coral Springs Commission Chambers, student commissioners voted 4-1 to coordinate a fifth‑grade field trip to the Coral Springs Museum of Art.

The museum and city staff presented the trip idea to student commissioners and the public as a way to expand arts exposure for elementary students. Museum representatives said students would tour galleries and take part in art and theater workshops; city staff outlined activities, safety measures and a preliminary budget.

The vote followed a public comment period in which residents, teachers and former students described the educational value and drawbacks of the proposal. Sky Feliz Reynoso, a museum representative, told the mock commission, “I’m so excited to meet our local 5th graders and introduce them to the Museum of Art.” High school alumnus Benjamin Gertner said he attended a similar trip in fifth grade and that it allowed students “to express themselves” and gave him a “fun break from the stress of tests and grades.” Teacher Isabella Wilson voiced a contrasting concern, saying the trip “will take up too much classroom time” that could be used for exam preparation.

City staff answered commissioners’ questions in a new‑business segment. Sebastian Betancourt, identified in the record as director of special events, described planned activities including sculpting with clay, canvas painting and short theater workshops. Abigail Villamard, director of finance, gave the budget estimate: “The budget for this trip would be $700 per class or $28 per student that attends.” Villamard also said “there’s also a $15,000 grant that the city can apply for which will lower the cost to the city.”

Officials described safety and logistical plans. Museum staff said the facility could be closed to the public during field‑trip hours, that security cameras are in place and that the building meets fire‑safety requirements. The city’s sustainability director said staff would work with the school board to explore electric buses and planned to reuse art supplies and increase recycling where possible.

Public reaction was mixed at the podium: child‑development expert Leilani Marinas said art supports creativity and problem‑solving, while some students and residents suggested alternate field‑trip sites, such as the Coral Springs Aquatic Complex. Local artist Abiraj Rampisud supported the museum visit, saying that bringing students to see local artists’ work “benefits local artists” and can inspire young creators.

The mock commission vote was counted by student officials; the measure passed with four votes in favor and one vote opposed. The meeting record did not list a formal mover or seconder for the motion. Staff repeatedly described the numbers above as preliminary; no formal implementation schedule or final contract was approved in the session.

City staff and museum representatives said operational details — school coordination, transportation, chaperone ratios and an application for the $15,000 grant — remain to be finalized before any actual trips would occur.

Because this session was a mock commission involving student commissioners, staff emphasized that the next steps are administrative coordination between the city, the museum and school districts to translate the mock‑meeting outcome into a formal program.