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Choir teacher Josh Sorensen outlines New York trip; board approves transportation to MSP
Summary
Josh Sorensen presented a five‑day EF Tours itinerary for a student choir trip to New York, described safety and fundraising measures, and the board approved the trip and district payment of transportation to the Minneapolis‑Saint Paul airport in a 7-0 vote.
Josh Sorensen, the district choir teacher, presented a proposed five‑day student trip to New York and the Janesville‑Waldorf‑Pemberton school board voted to approve the trip and to cover transportation to the Minneapolis‑Saint Paul airport.
Sorensen described visits to Midtown and the United Nations, the Empire State Building, a Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tour, two Broadway shows, Radio City and Lincoln Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and guided tours of other neighborhoods. He said the tour operator (EF) provides a full‑time tour director, local liaisons, professional overnight security and background checks for adult travelers. "We have an exciting potential possibility for the choir working with EF tours and travels to provide a trip to New York," Sorensen said, and he emphasized the vendor's safety supports, including "24/7 tour director support" and a dedicated overnight security presence.
Sorensen told the board the trip was open to students in grades 9–12, that some fundraising and scholarship options are available, and that 16 students had already signed up. He described a fundraising and payment plan and said he would provide exact adult pricing and a final student pay‑in amount to the district when confirmed; he also noted students received an immediate $150 discount for early interest. On logistics, Sorensen said the district would cover transportation to and from MSP if the board approved that cost.
Board members asked about academic eligibility and what happens if a student leaves choir after signing up; Sorensen said academic eligibility rules apply and that refunds may depend on whether an optional trip insurance policy was purchased. After discussion, the board approved the trip by voice vote on a motion by Monica Erickson, seconded by Dave Olsen. The chair announced the motion carried, 7-0.
The board did not set a final, itemized district subsidy beyond transportation to MSP at the time of the vote; Sorensen said he would provide final pricing details and additional trip paperwork to staff and parents.
