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Board approves eighth-grade overnight trip to Tennessee after debate about safety, purpose and cost
Summary
Oak Park ESD 97’s Board approved an out-of-state overnight eighth-grade field trip to Nashville with fee waivers. Board members and parents raised concerns about the length of bus travel, trip purpose (career vs. civics), student safety in Tennessee and equity of access.
The Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Board approved an overnight, out-of-state eighth-grade field trip to Nashville after public discussion about trip purpose, travel logistics, equity and student safety.
The motion as presented included fee waivers under board policy up to a total not-to-exceed amount of $124,962 for subsidizing eligible students. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with one “no” recorded; the transcript lists a single dissenting roll-call response during voting.
During the meeting parents and board members asked for more specifics. Concerns centered on the projected eight-hour bus ride each way, how students would be supervised during long travel, and whether the trip’s stated focus (career exploration) aligned with the district’s traditional eighth-grade trip goals. One parent said she had experienced uncomfortable encounters while visiting Tennessee and asked how the district would prepare staff and chaperones and protect students. Another board member requested a follow-up conversation in January about the district’s longer-term approach to out-of-district end-of-year trips, noting the need for clarity about purpose, student participation and fundraising plans.
Administrators said the itinerary was being finalized and that a parent meeting and additional details will be provided to families. The board’s vote authorizes administration to proceed with the trip and to use fee-waiver funds within the amount specified; district staff said they would continue working on logistics and safety planning.
Formal action Motion (as read aloud during the meeting): “I move that the board of Education Oak Park Elementary School District 97 move to approve the eighth grade end of year overnight and out of state field trip as presented on 09/16/2025 with fee waivers related to board policy 140 waiver of student fees not to exceed $124,962.”
Vote (roll call recorded in the public transcript): board members responded in favor except for one dissenting vote that was recorded during roll call; the motion was announced as passed.
