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Mashpee Class of 2027 proposes Universal Studios trip; committee tables request to November over cost and equity concerns
Summary
Class officers proposed a Class of 2027 trip to Universal Studios and Grad Bash (April 22–26, 2027) at the Oct. 16 Mashpee School Committee meeting. Committee members raised concerns about estimated costs, inclusivity and chaperone ratios and voted 4–1 to table the request to the November meeting for more details.
Students representing the Mashpee Middle-High School Class of 2027 presented a proposal on Oct. 16 to take a class trip to Universal Studios and Grad Bash in Orlando during April vacation 2027. Adviser Christine Frasier and class officers described educational modules available at Grad Bash (engineering, physics, paleobotany, business and storytelling), an itinerary of parks and events, and logistical details from flights to lodging.
The students said the trip would run April 22–26, 2027, and that the tour operator’s package would include four nights’ hotel accommodations, most meals, park admission and a tour director; airfares cited in the presentation ranged between $479 and $578 for a one-way estimate that informed per-person planning. Presenters said the vendor recommends a minimum of 40–42 attendees for the trip to be viable, and that attendees would receive about $150 for food on the trip. They described fundraising plans (bake sales, pizza and candy sales, raffles), a suggested payment schedule if approved in December, and a 15:1 chaperone ratio noted in the presentation.
Committee members pressed students on equity and cost. "This is a very exclusive trip; the cost alone is one of the highest," said a committee member, citing concerns that many families could not afford $2,000–$3,000 per person even with fundraising. Members asked whether alternative destinations had been presented and whether more robust parent outreach and anonymous surveys could gauge family interest and financial need.
Students responded that the class had surveyed peers (earlier high-response year; more recent sample smaller), are planning additional fundraisers, and will consider targeted financial assistance if the trip is approved. Committee members recommended students return with more detailed breakdowns of fundraising goals, parent feedback, confirmation of vendor deposit deadlines and clearer projections of actual per-student cost.
After discussion, a motion to table the trip until the November school committee meeting passed 4–1 (Dan: yes; Brian: no; Kathy: yes; Kelly: yes; Chair: yes). The committee asked students to return with additional data on fundraising, parent input and vendor timelines before any approval vote.
No formal approvals were made at the Oct. 16 meeting; the committee’s motion will give students time to address the concerns raised.
