Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Travel topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Career & College Academy seeks permission for three student tours as program expands
Summary
The district’s Career & College Academy outlined three proposed trips (New York City 2026, Costa Rica 2027 and a multi‑day Wisconsin/Minnesota college tour) and described growth of EDGE/CCA programs and grants; board moved and seconded a motion to approve the trips but no roll‑call vote appears in the transcript.
At the Nov. 24 Elkhorn Area School District board meeting, Career & College Academy (CCA) leaders described program growth, community partnerships and three proposed student tours and asked the board for approval in principle.
Kelly Dunrath, identified as principal of the Career & College Academy, introduced Angie Salamone, EDGE associate degree program coordinator, who described three tours: a New York City cultural/enrichment trip planned for July 2026; a Costa Rica trip in July 2027 (to be coordinated with Fort Atkinson High School); and a three‑day college tour of UW La Crosse, UW Eau Claire, UW River Falls and the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
Dunrath and Salamone said the New York and Costa Rica tours would use EF Tours for booking, chaperone coordination, emergency assistance and payment plans; the college tour would be coordinated directly with university admissions offices. They said trip dates and final pricing depend on the number of students who enroll and that they had not yet finalized student counts.
Program leaders also reviewed CCA achievements: the EDGE associate’s pathway began with 16 students and has grown (Dunrath said the program now enrolls more students and that 77% of current students are taking college coursework this semester). Dunrath said the program had benefited from a Department of Public Instruction implementation grant and previously received $750,000 over five years to develop pathways; she also described the CCA’s youth build activities, business mentorships and a partnership with Aurora Health that provides clinical exposure for students.
During board discussion, a member moved to approve the overnight travel requests for New York City, Costa Rica and the college tour; the motion was seconded. Board members recommended contingency language about safety/security and discussed avoiding the July 4 holiday window for a New York trip. The transcript records the motion and second but does not record a subsequent roll‑call vote or final tally on the trips.
No dollar amounts or final student lists for the proposed tours were provided in the presentation; presenters said they planned to apply for grants to offset costs for the college tour and would return with specific pricing and participant lists once available.
