Board approves EF Tours trip to Ireland and allows student fundraising

Jessica Nicholson, a high‑school teacher, asked the board to approve an EF Tours educational trip to Ireland in July 2026, describing the itinerary, chaperone background checks and fundraising plan. She said the tour company “takes care of everything” including a tour director to meet students at airports and that students would have individualized fundraising pages with 100% of donations returned to the student.

The trip is planned as a roughly 10‑day cultural immersion with potential elective credit; Nicholson said the cost is a little over $4,500 per student and that she hopes each student will raise about half that amount. She told the board at an information meeting she already has about 20 students committed and noted EF Tours offers scholarship opportunities and flexible payment options.

Board members asked logistical questions about chaperone numbers (one free chaperone per six paid students), insurance and refund windows. Nicholson said EF Tours offers a seven‑day grace period on deposits and an approximately 10‑month cancellation window where most funds are refundable except a nonrefundable application fee.

After discussion, a board member moved to approve the trip; the board then voted to approve allowing students to fundraise and to permit the trip to proceed, with transportation assistance to be arranged if needed. Procedures for handling scholarships, collection and oversight of fundraising proceeds were discussed and will be coordinated between school staff and tour organizers.

The board also emphasized that final dates and passenger lists depend on enrollment and that staff will continue to work with families on payment options and scholarship applications. The trip and fundraising permissions were recorded as approved during the meeting.