Board tables proposed Washington, D.C. student-retention field trip amid concerns over timing, staffing and cost

Julie Booth, a board member, proposed a district-wide Washington, D.C. field trip in May 2026 for grades 6 and 8–12 as part of a student-retention initiative tied to the nation’s 250th birthday. The board debated logistics, budget and safety during an extended exchange that occupied much of the meeting.

Administration described a planning baseline: the maximum invited pool would be the enrollment counts per grade (e.g., sixth grade 205, ninth grade 186). Board members raised multiple concerns including low survey response rates used to gauge interest, the short planning timeline, the need to confirm staff and volunteer chaperones and training, potential liabilities for volunteers, and fiscal responsibility given other capital needs. A financial estimate controversy emerged: one board member cited a figure of $11 per student in preliminary materials while another computed maximum exposure could be roughly $114,130 if all invited students participated at a higher per-student estimate. After debate, the board voted to table the proposal and asked administration to provide specific dates, staff participation availability and more precise cost estimates before the board revisits the item.