Teacher proposes EF Tours pilot and junior Beta club to expand student experiences

A middle‑school teacher told the Pulaski County School Board on Oct. 14 she would like the district to pilot educational trips using EF Tours, describing an initial Panama trip model and domestic options (Grand Canyon, Yosemite) for younger students. The presenter (identified in discussion as Miss Grantham) said EF Tours provides an all‑inclusive service: a dedicated tour guide, dedicated buses, and centralized booking and customer service. She said the company prorates chaperone costs, requires group travel insurance included in the family payment plan, and vets chaperones and volunteers.

Miss Grantham said fundraising would largely be handled through EF Tours, with parent payments and third‑party fundraiser proceeds going directly to EF; her examples of past fundraisers included pizza kits, plant sales and car washes. She described a typical payment plan and noted that scholarships administered by EF are available but that she had not fully researched eligibility requirements. She asked for district permission to use school communication tools (email, Canvas, meeting space) to promote trips and for guidance from school administration on contracts and timelines. The presenter said a pilot would target middle‑school students (15 and under) and that parents would sign the tour contract and meet payment deadlines.

Separately, the presenter proposed launching a Junior Beta Club (grades 6–8) with project‑based community service and competitive options—conventions, contests in photography, science and engineering—and described past student successes in state and national competitions. She outlined eligibility criteria under consideration (grade threshold, teacher recommendation, no discipline infractions).

Board members generally supported the concept and asked practical questions about rooming configurations, the 6:1 chaperone ratio, fundraising accountability and whether the district or EF would handle funds and invoices. Staff said EF would handle bookings and payments, the district would want oversight on fundraising and parent contracts, and that school administration would control final participation and communication. No formal board approval was recorded at the meeting; staff directed the presenter to work with school administration to develop next steps.