Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Board approves Costa Rica student trip and several routine action items, including statutory policy updates and donations
Loading...
Summary
After questions about safety, insurance and chaperone ratios, the board unanimously approved a nine‑day student trip to Costa Rica for April 2027; trustees also approved program of studies, waived second readings for required nondiscrimination and medication policies, and accepted multiple donations.
The Madison Board of Education approved a nine‑day student trip to Costa Rica for April 2027 after extended discussion about vendor vetting, travel‑advisory levels and insurance coverage.
Curriculum committee members introduced the trip and a new one‑trimester elective, Conceptual Astronomy. TJ Salutari described the partnership with EF Educational Tours, which provides itinerary planning, on‑the‑ground support and optional trip insurance. Board members asked who would make the final call if a country’s U.S. State Department travel advisory changed; administration and TJ said the district, in consultation with the superintendent and principal, reserves the right to cancel or change trips for safety, and EF can reschedule to an alternative destination in some cases.
Concerns were raised about past cancellations during the COVID‑19 pandemic and parents who thought they had insurance but were not reimbursed fully. Administrators said EF provides several levels of trip insurance and the district also carries liability coverage (referred to in the meeting as Kerma). Trustees requested clearer vetting materials and explicit explanations to parents about what insurance covers and the potential loss exposure for families.
Later in the meeting the board unanimously approved the international trip (voice vote), the Daniel Hand High School 2026–27 Program of Studies, and a set of policy updates that were recommended to be waived for a second reading because they were required by state or federal law (nondiscrimination and medication administration series). The board also approved donations from the Lawrence J. Gage Living Trust ($12,500 each to the high‑school music and tennis boosters) and a $1,650 PTO donation to Neck River Elementary to purchase sensory materials for neurodivergent students.
Board members asked administrators to ensure the parent informational meeting and trip materials highlight insurance choices and refund limitations before families commit.
