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Board approves Monticello High School Spanish department trip to Costa Rica for June 2027
Summary
The Monticello School Board approved an optional June 2027 Spanish department tour to Costa Rica through ACIS. The board heard details on itinerary, cost ($3,933 prepaid), chaperone ratio (1:6 per ACIS), insurance of no missed school days and payment deadlines.
The Monticello Public School District board unanimously approved Nov. 3 an optional educational tour to Costa Rica offered by the high school Spanish department.
Spanish teacher Sarah Spellby told the board the proposed June 2027 tour is offered to students who have taken Spanish at Monticello High School and is intended to immerse students in Costa Rican language and culture. Spellby said the trip would require a minimum of 12 students, follow ACIS rules of one chaperone per six students, and include 3–4-star hotel lodging with 2–3 students per room. The prepaid cost Spellby cited was $3,933 per student, which includes airfare, lodging, two meals per day where noted, local transportation, entrance fees and listed activities. Families are responsible for their own travel to and from Minneapolis airport; final payment to the travel company is due Feb. 5, 2027.
“The purpose for our trip is to immerse ourselves in the culture and language of Costa Rica,” Spellby said. Board members asked about past student feedback, affordability and eligibility across course levels; Spellby said past participants found the trips “life changing,” emphasized the district gives families ample lead time for payment plans, and said the trip is open to students across Spanish levels. The motion to approve was moved by Jeff Hegley and seconded by Casey Root; the board approved the trip 5-0.
No district-funded subsidies for the trip were described; Spellby said families must pay the travel company directly and may fundraise independently.
