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Board adopts procedure changes tightening field‑trip definitions and adult‑to‑student ratios
Summary
The board reviewed Procedure 2302 and associated policy updates to clarify 'school‑sponsored' versus 'privately sponsored' field trips, added a decision matrix and forms, increased adult‑to‑student staffing from 1:15 to 1:10 on some trips, and flagged new medical/service requirements for school‑sponsored international travel.
Superintendent Goodpaster (S7) presented substantial procedure changes to the district's field‑trip policy (Procedure 2302) that the board accepted as information and will implement when policy and procedures are finalized.
Key changes include a clearer definition distinguishing school‑sponsored trips (district‑led, curriculum or school group invitations) from privately sponsored trips (third‑party travel companies or opt‑in trips open to multiple schools), the roll‑out of a decision matrix form vetted by legal counsel and the district risk pool to determine trip classification, and a notable reduction in the adult‑to‑student ratio from 1:15 to 1:10 for relevant categories of trips. The presentation added a new international travel section and clarified that medical and individual health‑plan needs may require additional staff (for example, a nurse) on school‑sponsored trips.
Why it matters: The changes aim to strengthen student safety, clarify liability and staffing expectations, and reduce ambiguity about which trips require board approval and additional medical staffing.
Board members asked whether privately sponsored trips run by tour companies would be reclassified and whether the new medical requirements would be explicit; the superintendent said the decision matrix and application form will help make those determinations and that some third‑party tours may be categorized as privately sponsored. Staff said forms and application processes are ready to roll out once policy and procedure are adopted.
