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Board delays decision on proposed 18-day Lockwood FFA trip to Vietnam and Thailand pending liability review
Summary
A Lockwood teacher proposed an 18-day agricultural and cultural trip to Vietnam and Thailand for FFA students (summer 2027), estimating about $3,500 per student and a desired 1:5–1:6 chaperone ratio. Trustees asked administration to check district liability and MSGIA insurance and return the item as an action on the May agenda.
A teacher associated with the Lockwood FFA asked the board to bless an 18-day educational trip to Vietnam and Thailand for interested students in summer 2027, describing hands-on learning at rice, fruit and aquaculture operations and a cost estimate of about $3,500 per student.
"It is 18 days. It is a long time," the organizer said, outlining a detailed itinerary that would include agricultural work, cultural site visits and planned adult supervision. He said travel insurance would be required for each family and that chaperones would be screened and submitted for district background checks. He also proposed a target chaperone ratio of roughly 1:5 to 1:6.
Board members raised concerns about district liability and whether the district would be a sponsor. One trustee asked whether there is insurance that protects the district for unsponsored trips; another noted that third-party tour companies typically assume primary liability. The board majority said they do not intend for the district to sponsor the trip but could support advertising it and connecting families; trustees asked administration to check with MSGIA (Montana School Group Insurance Authority) about risk and to return the item as an action in May.
The board did not vote on the trip. Administrators said a future agenda item will include any recommended district role and clarifications about parental responsibility, background checks, required travel paperwork, visa assistance for Vietnam and refund policies.
Because trustees emphasized verifying insurer and liability details before any formal approval, families were told the district would organize an informational meeting only after the board receives MSGIA guidance.
