Board approves band extended trip to Miami and Caribbean cruise for spring break

The Stewartville Public School District board approved an extended state field trip request for the high‑school band on Wednesday, allowing students to travel to Miami and board a cruise that stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay (Bahamas) and Cozumel, Mexico.

Band director Jessica Honsy presented the request and described the itinerary, which the presentation indicated would include time in Miami before embarking and a cruise with two main port stops. Honsy said the plan was designed so students would return by April 4 so they could be home for Easter if families chose. "We are looking at flying into Miami and then boarding the ship — we have two main stops and performance and chaperone plans," Honsy said.

Honsy told the board she had surveyed students and families; the planned passenger list included about 38 students and more than 80 total people who had expressed interest, including family members as chaperones. The administration estimated the student cost would be about $1,200 per person but noted final flight costs and final totals were not yet confirmed and would be provided once bookings are finalized.

The board asked about chaperone ratios; Honsy said the district typically uses a 1:8 chaperone to student ratio and expected a strong adult presence on the trip. She also said passports were not required because the cruise enters Mexico via the ship's port calls (the district noted this method does not require passports for U.S. citizens in that itinerary format).

A motion to approve the extended field trip was made by Mr. Ravenhorst, seconded by Mr. Laumann, and the board approved the request by voice vote, 7–0.