Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Travel topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves Waterford High international trip to Costa Rica amid questions on chaperones and capacity
Summary
The board approved a student field trip to Costa Rica scheduled for April 10, 2027; the organizer said about 34 students committed at roughly $3,400 each, four chaperones are planned, and the district will monitor State Department travel advisories and refund policies.
The Waterford Board of Education approved an international field trip to Costa Rica beginning April 10, 2027, after a presentation from staff and the trip organizer.
Vanessa Cronin, a world language teacher present at the meeting, explained the itinerary and educational goals, saying students will engage in cultural and language exchanges, visit science-focused sites (an eco-farm, wildlife and a volcano) and participate in an exchange activity with local students. Cronin said the trip cost is about $3,400 per student and that, at the time of the meeting, 34 students had committed and were paying monthly.
Board members asked about chaperones and capacity. Cronin said four chaperones had signed up (including a Spanish-speaking teacher and a bilingual counselor) plus the school resource officer and social worker; the organizer said policy allows a small number of non-student participants in certain circumstances and that they would not replace district students for available slots. Cronin said the tour operator’s refund policy typically returned participant funds except for a nonrefundable deposit (she cited $90) in many cancelation scenarios and that the district would monitor State Department travel advisories (Costa Rica was at Level 2 at the time of discussion).
Board members raised questions about the possibility of children who are not high-school students participating; Cronin said there was a possibility of one younger child, and members discussed policy limits and chaperone eligibility. The trip organizer said the cap for the group was 36 students and that organizers maintain a waiting list to fill slots if cancellations occur.
The board voted to approve the trip; the transcript records at least one affirmative vote and discussion that seats are limited and policy requirements were followed.
What’s next: Organizers will continue to monitor travel advisories, manage deposits and waiting lists, and proceed with trip-planning steps required by board policy.
