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School committee approves first readings of field trip and budget transfer policy updates
Summary
The committee approved first readings of two policy changes: IICA (field trips) to permit a 1:25 chaperone ratio for high‑school academic trips, and DBJ (budget line transfers) to raise transfer approval thresholds and add controller oversight; both passed 5–0.
The Coventry School Committee approved first readings of two policy updates intended to increase operational flexibility.
Field trip policy IICA: Superintendent Cowart and the policy subcommittee proposed allowing a 1:25 adult‑to‑student chaperone ratio for high‑school academic field trips where the principal or superintendent determines it is appropriate. The change aims to reduce cancellations of academic trips when chaperone availability is limited; the committee approved the first reading unanimously.
Budget line item transfer policy DBJ: The committee approved updates that raise transfer thresholds so the superintendent can approve larger transfers while transfers of $15,000 or more require school committee approval; the policy also formalizes controller involvement in transfer decisions. Members asked for a monthly or bi‑monthly transfer report; staff agreed to include transfers in the finance packet for transparency.
What’s next: Both policy changes passed first reading; they will return for final reading and formal adoption at a later meeting.
