Board approves student trip to Portugal and Spain for 2026

The Bedford Board of Education voted to approve a proposed student EF Tours trip to Lisbon, Portugal, and Seville and Madrid, Spain, for 2026 after hearing a presentation from high-school staff.

Board member Megan moved to approve the international travel as recommended; Cole seconded the motion and the board carried it on a roll-call vote (Amy Driehorst recorded as excused). The board discussion that preceded the vote focused on safety, chaperone vetting, group size and refund policies.

High-school art teacher Steven Gill, who led the presentation, said the district had worked with EF Tours and that the company provides tour guides, insurance and embedded safety policies. “We’re here to propose an EF tour to Lisbon, Portugal, and Sevilla and Madrid, Spain for 2026,” Gill said, adding that EF “has a good reputation of making sure that trips are always well organized” and that the district hopes the trip will become an ongoing offering.

Board members asked whether chaperones would be vetted and who would pay for adult participants. Gill and other staff said chaperones would likely be district staff or vetted parents, and that the district would explore fundraising to reduce costs for families. Administrators pointed out that the permission slip explicitly lists deadlines and refund rules so families know the conditions under which refunds are available.

Supporters on the board cited prior positive experiences with EF tours and described the trip as an educational opportunity that would expand students’ global exposure. After the vote, the board chair announced the motion carried.

Next steps: staff will proceed with the arrangements and communications to families, including permission-slip details, chaperone selection and fundraising options.