Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Trips topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board splits vote on student trips; approves Orlando and Chattanooga, tables international trip
Summary
The Smith County Board of Education split a bundled consent vote on three student trips, approving trips to Universal Orlando and a HOSA convention in Chattanooga and tabling an overseas trip for more information.
The Smith County Board of Education divided action on a bundled consent item covering three student trips and took separate votes on each trip.
A motion on a bundled consent item that included three trips failed after roll-call voting with multiple abstentions and at least one 'no' vote; the chair announced the motion did not carry and the board agreed to consider each trip individually.
The board then approved the Smith County High School cheerleading trip to Universal Orlando Resort in Florida by roll call.
The board also approved a request from the HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) club to attend a state leadership convention in Chattanooga by roll call.
Board members pressed for more details about the overseas trip organized by a vendor identified as Emrock or EF (itineraries referenced travel to France and Greece), including who bears cost, fundraising mechanics and safety monitoring. The trip organizer explained costs fall primarily on families but that vendor fundraising programs could apply funds directly to individual students' trip accounts. Members recommended the organizer contact the U.S. Embassy about travel safety and provide updated pricing and contingency plans.
After discussion, the board made a motion and second to table consideration of the international trip until the next meeting so staff and the organizer could provide the requested information. Board members noted that if the trip is delayed prices may change; the organizer acknowledged that timing could affect cost. The motion to table carried; the item will return to a future agenda.
Votes at a glance: - Bundled consent item covering three trips: motion failed (board announced multiple abstentions and at least one 'no'). - Smith County High School — Universal Orlando Resort (Florida): approved by roll call. - HOSA club — state leadership convention in Chattanooga: approved by roll call. - International trip (vendor Emrock/EF — itinerary referenced France/Greece): tabled pending additional information from organizer and staff.
