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Board approves Footsteps to Freedom professional development after debate over cost
Summary
Riverside Unified trustees approved a Footsteps to Freedom teacher professional-development trip after a split among trustees over its cost. Teachers testified to strong instructional value; some trustees questioned the program's expense and reach.
The Riverside Unified School District Board of Education on May 8 approved a Footsteps to Freedom professional-development trip recommended for district teachers despite trustee concerns about expense.
Teachers and participants described the program as an immersive, primary-source-based experience that reshaped classroom teaching on American history. "Footsteps to Freedom changed me in a wonderful way," said one middle-school history teacher who attended the program. Several speakers recounted how visiting historical sites and working with artifacts improved their instruction and student engagement.
Trustee Kinnear and others raised questions about the price tag. Kinnear cited prior meeting figures of roughly $115,000 to $150,000 for a cohort of about 20–35 attendees and said that in the current budget environment the board should scrutinize such expenses. "A 115,000 close to a $150,000...It's an expensive professional development," Kinnear said.
Supporters, including Trustee Hernandez Alexander, defended the program as aligned with the educator-effectiveness block grant and described the teacher testimonials as convincing evidence of classroom impact. The board discussed whether the district could extend similar experiences to more staff and whether the committee might reduce non-student-facing attendees.
After discussion and motions, the board approved the consent item authorizing the Footsteps to Freedom travel and associated funding.
