Board reviews proposal to move international travel approvals to consent; members press for equity safeguards

The board discussed a proposal from Director of Teaching and Learning Jody De Saint Hubert to streamline the approval process for international student travel by placing proposals on the consent agenda, while retaining board oversight. De Saint Hubert described a multi-level approval process that includes a pre-approval checklist reviewed at building and central-office levels and said the recommendation would keep safety and oversight in place while reducing repetitive discussion at the full board. She said seven international travel proposals (five high school, one middle school and one elementary) will come forward for formal action at the board's January meeting.

Board members supported the idea of streamlining but repeatedly raised equity and accessibility concerns. Directors asked whether there is a rubric or cost threshold used to screen proposals, how schools ensure opportunities are distributed by grade level and region, and how the district handles home hosting obligations for exchange programs when some families cannot host visiting students. Director Bergman, Director Ellenburg and others pressed for a summary report that would show the full portfolio of travel offerings (international and regional), comparative costs, grade-level distribution and evidence of efforts to provide scholarships or other financial assistance. De Saint Hubert said staff have rejected some proposals for cost reasons, that travel vendors and teachers often offer scholarships and that fundraising is common but not uniformly accessible; she agreed to provide a clearer summary and to follow up on specific hosting-equity questions.

What happens next: The seven travel proposals and any process change will return to the board for action in January; administration was asked to bring a concise summary of regional and international travel opportunities, cost ranges, scholarships/discounts used and accessibility measures.