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Region 15 board approves three international student trips for summer 2027
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Summary
The Regional School District 15 board approved three international field trips for summer 2027 (Italy; Australia and New Zealand; Austria/Czech Republic/Germany/Switzerland) after discussion of chaperone procedures, behavior contracts and insurance; approvals were voice votes under board policy 6153.
The Regional School District 15 Board of Education approved three international student field trips for summer 2027 after discussing chaperone responsibilities, expected behavior standards and insurance arrangements.
The board approved a trip to Italy (June 29'July 8, 2027), a trip to Australia and New Zealand (July 8'July 19, 2027) and a trip to Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany and Switzerland (July 26'Aug. 4, 2027). Each motion cited board policy 6153 governing field trips.
Board members asked detailed questions about how the trips are run and who bears financial responsibility if a student must be returned home. Presenters said the international trips are run by an outside travel provider (EF Tours) and that parents sign a contract obligating them to cover costs if their child must return early for illness or behavioral dismissal. Presenters also said EF Tours provides training for trip leaders and that trip leaders have completed prior training on safety and group management. "We make they have to take insurance," a presenter said when asked whether insurance is required. The district clarified these are district-supported but not district-operated trips: teachers volunteer and the trips are run by the outside provider during summer months.
Cost and capacity: presenters said trip prices can start at roughly $4,000 and that typical group sizes vary (examples ranged from 30'40 students up to larger groups in previous years). The board discussed prioritization and noted some trips were listed as priority 1 because they connect directly to curriculum (for example, the Italy trip links to Italian coursework).
Votes and procedure: The Italy trip motion (moved by Heather and seconded by Shannon Tavallo) was approved by voice vote with no recorded nays or abstentions in the transcript. The Australia/New Zealand and Central Europe trips were also approved by voice vote after brief discussion and a date amendment for the Central Europe trip.
Next steps: presenters said parent informational meetings will cover behavior expectations, insurance and refund policies; staff will finalize chaperone lists and the district will record the approvals in the minutes, which will be retained with the field-trip documentation.
