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RSU 24 board approves Vertical Raise use and funds travel for speech and debate nationals
Summary
The RSU 24 board approved the speech and debate team's use of the Vertical Raise fundraising platform and agreed to cover tournament registration, airfare and lodging for three students who qualified for the national NCFL Grand Tournament in Washington, D.C.; the district said it can likely fund the trip from unfilled co‑curricular budget lines.
John Russell, an English teacher and coach, told the RSU 24 board that three students had qualified to compete at the NCFL Grand National Tournament in Washington, D.C., Memorial Day weekend and requested permission to use the online fundraising platform Vertical Raise and district support to cover major costs.
"It's been a real privilege to start a speech and debate team here," Russell said, describing qualifying students and the weekend competition. He estimated costs for registration, travel and lodging and said that if the board allowed Vertical Raise the team could supplement traditional fundraisers to meet the remainder of its budget needs.
Superintendent Jeff Eastman said he had asked Chris Alvarado to review the budget and that several co‑curricular stipended positions remained unfilled this year. "I do believe we could fund most if not all of this trip," Eastman said, noting those savings could offset tournament expenses.
The board voted first to permit the team to use Vertical Raise for fundraising and then moved to approve district funding for the tournament registration, airfare and lodging; both measures carried. Board members spoke in support of the students’ opportunity to represent the district and encouraged minimizing missed class time by flying when appropriate.
The board did not specify a dollar figure in its motion on the floor; Russell said registration fees were likely due in April and airfare and lodging should be secured as soon as practical to lock lower rates. The board indicated that any additional balance could be revisited after the Vertical Raise campaign and student fundraisers.
Next steps: the team will proceed with Vertical Raise fundraising and return to the board if additional district funding is needed beyond the approved registration, travel and lodging support.
