Board denies seniors' request to camp at Mountaintop Field, cites insurance liability

The Lead-Deadwood School District 40-1 board voted to deny a request from high-school seniors to camp overnight on Mountaintop Field the Sunday before the start of school, citing liability and the absence of district supervision.

Mr. Embro, the high-school principal who described the seniors' request, said the activity was informal and not a school-sponsored event. He told the board he "wasn't giving permission" for the camping to take place as a school activity and that the seniors had consulted parents but no formal supervised plan had been filed.

The board read an email from the district's insurance agent, Chris Roberts, warning that an unsupervised, informal overnight event "places a very high level of liability on the school district" and explicitly stating, "I do not recommend approval of the request." Board members said there was no facility-use agreement and uncertainty about whether parents would actually supervise students, leaving the district exposed if property damage, injury or worse occurred.

A member moved to deny the request and the motion carried. The board noted options for students to use established campgrounds or seek appropriate permits from local authorities if they wish to pursue an organized overnight activity.

The board's action was recorded during the A1 agenda item; administrators said the insurance advice was decisive in the decision and reiterated that the district will not staff or supervise an informal overnight student event on district property.