Board asked to consider Spanish Club trip to Costa Rica; resolution O43 referenced

A teacher presented a proposal at the Feb. 11 Saranac Lake Central School District board meeting for a Spanish Club educational trip to Costa Rica tentatively scheduled for July 7–14, 2025.

"My name is Doug Zobo," the presenter said when introducing himself. He told the board he contacted several trip companies and proposed working with WorldStrides (listed in the presenter materials). He said roughly 30–32 students had submitted interest forms and the trip webpage had about 50–60 visits, indicating strong family interest.

Board members asked about cost, fundraising and financial aid. The presenter said the trip package would include round-trip airfare, ground transportation, guides, hotel stays and most meals; families were expected to fundraise and some families could be helped by the district or by a foundation that offers foreign-language or travel grants. A board member encouraged organizers to confirm travel and flight insurance options.

A board member referred to a proposed resolution (listed as O43 in the meeting documents) to approve the Spanish Club trip. "So if they're comfortable, we can certainly use that lovely resolution that we didn't use for the budgetary transfer, which should be O43," a board member said; the Chair then asked for a motion to approve the trip. The transcript records a request for a motion but does not include the final roll-call or the result of a vote.

Next steps: the board requested a formal motion (O43) for the trip and discussion confirmed an accelerated registration/discount deadline and fundraising plans; the board did not record a final vote in the available transcript.

Why it matters: Student travel programs are a curricular and extracurricular commitment that can provide immersion opportunities but also raise equity and safety questions; board oversight includes approving school-sponsored international travel and ensuring safeguards and financial access for students.