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Board approves Spanish club trip to Costa Rica; accepts donations and routine consent items
Summary
The board approved a Spanish club trip to Costa Rica in June 2027 (program fee $3,917 per student; eight students committed so far) and adopted the consent agenda that accepted dozens of community donations. Several routine memberships, MOUs and calendar and policy changes were also approved.
The Little Falls Community Schools Board of Education approved a proposed Spanish club trip to Costa Rica in June 2027 and adopted a range of consent and routine items, including acceptance of community donations and approvals for memberships and policies.
Spanish teacher Joey Simonac presented the trip proposal, describing a nine‑day itinerary provided through ACIS and emphasizing student language immersion and personal development. "I'm coming forth to you to request your approval and your sponsorship on this life‑changing experience for these students in June 2027," Joey said. He reported eight students had made down payments and that the per‑student program fee is $3,917, which the presenter said covers flights, hotels, most meals, excursions and tips. Joey described fundraising plans (restaurant nights, coffee sales, community events) and asked for an additional female chaperone. The board moved to approve the trip and voted in favor.
Earlier in the meeting the board approved the consent agenda, which included personnel items, minutes and financial transactions, and accepted a long list of donations to district programs. Donors and gifts read into the record included Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union ($500 to community services for a Minnesota Twins trip), multiple family scholarship donations, club and business contributions to the Clay Target League and community services programs, an anonymous $5,000 gift to the robotics program, and a $25,497.70 foundation grant to support classroom programming and sensory‑room enhancements.
Trustees also approved routine memberships and agreements including Minnesota State High School League membership, Minnesota School Board Association membership, memoranda of understanding for literacy professional development and Elevate PD stipends, established candidacy filing dates for board elections (July 14–28, 2026), approved a rate increase for Little Flyers daycare, revised the 2026–27 school calendar, and adopted several policy revisions. All motions noted on the public agenda were approved by voice vote.
Votes at a glance: the Spanish trip was approved by voice vote; the consent agenda accepting donations carried; the 2026–27 budget, Little Flyers rate increase, calendar revision and policy updates were all approved during the meeting.
The district will proceed with trip planning and chaperone arrangements and will post finalized documentation for the public and participating families.
