Board declines broad field-trip amendment after teachers and DLI families warn of harm to immersion residencies
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Summary
A proposed amendment to Policy 6.5.0.01‑P that would have required "continuity of curriculum" for students remaining on campus during extended residencies drew extensive public comment from DLI parents and teachers; the proponent later withdrew a motion to send the amendment to policy committee and the policy remained unchanged that evening.
The Portland School Board on Jan. 13 considered a proposed amendment to its field-trip and foreign travel policy (Policy 6.5.0.01‑P) intended to strengthen curriculum continuity for students who remain on campus while classmates travel. Directors debated whether stronger language would protect students left behind or would be used to block long‑standing extended residencies tied to dual‑language immersion programs.
Director Englesman introduced the amendment and asked that the change be discussed further in a policy committee setting. Several board members and principals warned that very strict continuity language could unintentionally prevent valuable learning trips. After public comment from teachers, parents and students, the maker of the motion withdrew it and requested a staff presentation and committee briefing instead. The board left the policy unchanged for the night and indicated a Teaching, Learning & Enrollment committee briefing would be scheduled.
Public comment was heavily weighted toward preserving established immersion residencies. Student and parent speakers described the programs as essential for cultural and language learning; DLI teachers and parents argued that the amendmentcould be "weaponized" and that principals and teachers are best placed to design continuity plans for students who do not travel. As one speaker told the board: "These learning experiences being referenced ... are not vacations" and are the culmination of years of study.
Board response and next steps: Superintendent Armstrong and other staff said schools already plan for curriculum continuity when trips occur and pledged to present operational details to a committee so directors can better assess whether policy language needs revision. The board did not adopt the proposed amendment; instead, members asked staff to provide a focused briefing (procedural/operational) to committee in the coming months.
Policy cited: 6.5.0.01‑P (Field trip, foreign travel and other off campus activities).