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Board moves forward on student trip to Paris after teacher presentation
Summary
A high-school teacher’s presentation of a proposed February 2028 Paris–Barcelona trip — including itinerary, a vendor price of $3,959 per student, potential $1,550 grant subsidy, insurance and a code of conduct — led the board to place the item on the agenda and later approve it, allowing signups to begin with one recorded opposition during the vote.
After a detailed presentation by social studies teacher Joe Collins, the Mechanicville City School District board agreed to move and later approve a proposed international trip for juniors and seniors scheduled for February 2028.
Collins described the itinerary — two days in Paris followed by travel into southwestern France and then Spain, finishing in Barcelona — and recounted experience from a prior trip that was disrupted by weather. She said the tour operator provided hotels, meals and excursions while the group was stranded and assigned a tour director who “said he would not leave you in these kids.” Collins told the board the vendor price is $3,959 per student and that a grant under consideration could remove $1,550 of that cost per student, making the expected out‑of‑pocket cost closer to $2,400 if the grant is awarded.
Collins stated current enrollment numbers and chaperone planning: "Right now we're maxed out with 55. That includes the chaperones," and later explained insurance: "The insurance is $190… it does cover sickness, illness, transportation home." She also emphasized a mandatory code of conduct: students must maintain grades, have no behavior referrals and agree to not drink on the trip; violations could result in being sent home at parents’ expense.
Board members asked procedural questions during and after the presentation; Collins requested the item be moved to the formal agenda so signups could begin. The item was put on the agenda and later approved in the consent phase; the meeting record shows at least one trustee voiced opposition during votes on consent items that included the trip.
Next steps: with board approval, Collins said she would allow early signups for older students, promote the discounted rate through Sept. 30, and continue to pursue the grant to lower costs for eligible students.
