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School committee approves culinary studentsfield trip to France in 2026
Summary
The Lewiston School Committee on Jan. 6 unanimously approved a proposed 2026 field trip to France for culinary students after presenters described fundraising plans and financial accommodations for families.
The Lewiston Public Schools school committee voted unanimously Jan. 6 to approve a proposed 2026 field trip to France for culinary students.
Committee members heard a presentation from Chef Tony Shearer and Chef Becca Levesque, who described the trip as an expansion of prior overseas programming and said starting planning earlier lowers costs and gives students more time to fundraise. "We're going to Italy again this April, and we would like to go to France in 2026," Chef Tony Shearer told the committee.
The chefs and program staff said earlier planning makes the trip more affordable by allowing smaller, staged payments and additional fundraising. "There are some financial advantages for our students. Planning more advanced, the price is lower, and it gives them a lot more time for making payments," Chef Becca Levesque said.
Committee members asked about how much travel costs were covered by fundraising on prior trips and whether the program would ensure all students who want to participate can do so. Levesque said fundraising last year paid roughly half of each student's cost on average and that staff work individually with families who cannot afford the full price. "We probably paid with the fundraising...we probably paid for half of every student to go," Levesque said of last year's trip.
Presenters said the Italy trip this year is a 12-day itinerary and the France proposal includes a three-day extension to see more of southern France. They reported 13 students attended the prior trip and that the current year's group is 21 students; a 30-student threshold would allow a private tour bus and more scheduling flexibility.
Member Amber Hurd moved to approve the field trip; the motion was seconded by Member Janet Bowden. The committee voted unanimously to approve the request.
The committee did not set additional conditions in public session; presenters said fundraising will continue and that staff will work individually with students and families to expand access.
