Board approves world-language trip to northern Spain after debate over cost and equity

The Hollis/Brookline Cooperative School Board narrowly approved a proposed world-language trip to northern Spain, scheduled for April 20–28, 2028, after members spent nearly half an hour debating cost and equal access.

The motion to approve the trip, moved by Beth and seconded by Cindy, passed 3–2. Board members who opposed the trip said the listed cost—cited in the discussion as roughly $5,000 per student—creates inequitable access unless the district or associated fundraising can substantially reduce out-of-pocket costs.

One board member said the district must do more to ensure equal opportunity if it approves the activity, noting, “At $5,000 per person, unless we’re willing to participate in funding that as a school-paid activity, I don’t think there’s equal access.” (Board member comment during deliberation.) Other members emphasized the educational value of foreign travel, citing gains in cultural awareness, independence and college-readiness.

During the discussion the board and administration suggested possible mitigations: running shorter or nearer-term trips to lower price points (for example, Montreal instead of Paris), creating a travel fund through the dormant HB Elevate donor organization, or adjusting trip length to include more students and reduce per-student cost. Board members also criticized past scholarship practices that required students to write essays to demonstrate need; one member called that process inappropriate and urged procedural changes.

Superintendent Gina Birxock and staff agreed to take the board’s feedback back to the foreign-language department and to explore fundraising options and clearer, nondiscriminatory eligibility rules for any subsidized seats. The motion carried 3–2; the board did not record individual roll-call votes in the public discussion portion of the meeting.