Monticello board approves one FFA summer trip, tables two larger requests

The Monticello Public School District School Board on April 21 approved a two-day, overnight ‘‘summer ag tours’’ trip for the high school FFA chapter and postponed decisions on two additional FFA travel requests until more details are provided.

The FFA teacher, Jacob Wilts, told the board the summer ag tour would visit the Owatonna–Waseca area and include a stop at the Spam Museum, visits to an ethanol plant and Farm America, and an exchange-style stop at Owatonna High School’s new agricultural facility. Wilts said the group would leave the morning of Monday, June 16, stay one night, and return Tuesday night. Wilts said students would contribute a small fee and that alumni fundraising would cover the remainder; he said he would serve as head chaperone and that at least two other adults would accompany the students. The board voted to approve that request 5-0.

Board members asked for more detail before approving two additional requests: an officer retreat (a two-day trip Wilts estimated would cost roughly $400 and be fully sponsored by alumni for approximately six officers) and travel to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis in October. Wilts said the national convention is a large, multi-day event that can draw roughly 70,000 FFA members nationwide; he estimated the district portion would be about 12 students if offered to upperclassmen and projected a $100 charge for noncompeting students, with alumni fundraising covering additional costs. Several board members said they were supportive but wanted specific transportation, rooming and cost details before giving final approval. The board voted to table the officer retreat and national convention requests 5-0 and asked Wilts to provide updates to the board (by agenda or email) as details become available.

The board and Wilts also discussed transportation logistics: Wilts said the plan is to use one or two school vans if possible, and he is working with district staff (named in discussion as Mr. Revenig) to secure a 13-passenger van if needed. Wilts told the board that charter buses are costly and that using certified volunteer drivers or alumni drivers could reduce expenses, and he raised the possibility of a future district policy to authorize unpaid alumni drivers for overnight events so the program can expand without large busing costs.

Actions: The board approved the summer ag tours request (mover: Melissa Curtis; seconder: Casey Root; outcome: approved, vote 5 yes, 0 no). The board voted to table trip requests 2 and 3 (mover: Jeff Hegley; seconder: Casey Root; outcome: tabled, vote 5 yes, 0 no).