Closing the $60,000 Field Trip Argument: Agenda Language Does Matter and How It Has Changed Over the Years

I came back home to open the comments' box and found 2 comments, one of them that reflects how difficult it is to try to set the record straight when it comes to school matters.  This is what anonymous left:

The is the standard language that has always been used. Lord knows you have enough copies to verify that. One should ask for clarity next time and stop the accusations. It makes for a much more mature conversation.

There was no "Thanks Maria for taking the time to ask the question directly to the district and setting the record straight", not there was a "Gee!  All people have to do is ask the BOE or the district and we will provide the answers, here is the contact information....".  Nope.  Questions on school matters, to some, seem to be equal to "accusations".   Can we please move away from this toxic attitude?

In order to set the record straight on why people got nervous when they read this year's agenda and the cost of the trip, $60,000.00,  let us take a look at prior agendas, which can be found by using the search box at the district's website.  All I did was write on the search box "senior high school trips + walt disney + year".  What I found is that language is far from being "standard" as anonymous said it was.  A clear agenda could had avoided all the confusion that there has been on this item.  And if you are still doubtful about the district's clarification on who is paying for the trip, the solution is quite simple:  ask for this expense to be investigated, first by the school board, then by those agencies that have the power to do so.

With this said, it is worth repeating that the $60,000.00 senior field trip, as per the district's Business Administrator, is being paid by students and their parents with monies that have been raised several ways.  I will be requesting that, if possible,  the next agenda contains added language that will reflect the efforts students and parents have made in order for Plainfield HS 2012 seniors to take this trip.  (Can I please go? I could blog the whole trip and I'll do it for free!).

2012 Agenda
The cost for transportation (airfare) and lodging per student and per chaperone is $750.00. Transportation to the Philadelphia Airport will be provided by an Queen City Bus Tours.

RESOLVED, that the Plainfield Board of Education approve for eighty (80) seniors and six (6) chaperones to attend the 2012 Disney World Educational Activities from Friday, May 18, 2012 to Wednesday, May 23, 2012, not to exceed $60,000.00. Transportation to Philadelphia Airport will be provided by Queen City Bus Tours, at a rate not to exceed $3,200.00 and charged to account 15-190100018-500A-25-0000
(PHS Principal Field Trip). The cost of transportation (airfare) and lodging will be charged to Plainfield High School General Fund. The availability of funds for this item have been verified.

2010 Agenda
The cost of lodging and transportation for the students and chaperones will be provided by fundraising activities, donations and advertisements. The cost per student and per chaperone for airfare is $318.00, lodging is $280.00, and Grad Night is $152.00, at a total cost of $750.00 per person. Transportation to Newark Airport will be provided by the district.

RESOLVED, that the Plainfield Board of Education approve for one hundred ten (110) seniors and eleven (11) chaperones to attend the 2011 Disney Graduate Group Educational Activities from Friday, May 6, 2011 to Tuesday, May 11, 2011 not exceed $49,500.00 The availability of funds has been verified. The cost of airfare, lodging and Grad Night will be charged to Plainfield High School Student Activity account.

2009 Agenda
The cost of lodging and transportation for students and chaperones will be provided by fundraising activities, donations and advertisements. The cost per student and chaperone for airfare is $318.00, lodging is $280.00, Grad Night ticket is $152.00, at a total of $750.00. The cost of transportation to and from Newark Airport is $1,000.00 and will be provided by Queen City Bus Company.

RESOLVED, that the Plainfield Board of Education approves sixty (60) seniors and six (6) chaperones to attend the 2010 Disney Graduate Group Educational Activities in Lake Buena Vista, Florida from Thursday, April 29, 2010 to Monday, May 3, 2010 at a cost not exceed $49,500.00. The cost of transportation to and from Newark Airport is $1,000.00 and will be charged to account 15-00027-000-25-000.  Availability of funds has been verified. The cost of airfare, lodging and Grad Night ticket will be charged to the P.H.S. General Funds account.

2007 Agenda
2. P.H.S. Senior Class – Orlando, Florida

RESOLVED the Board of Education approve a field trip to Orlando, Florida for Wednesday, April 25, 2007 through Sunday, April 29, 2007 for ninety (90) students and thirteen (13) chaperones to attend Graduate Night at Walt Disney Park. The trip will expand the students’ learning beyond the walls of the classroom into the vast community outside. It will also provide students with experiences that cannot be
duplicated in school but are nonetheless an integral part of school instruction. Departure is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 from PHS with an approximate return of 5:00 p.m., Sunday,
April 29, 2007. Transportation to and from the airport will be provided by a Board vehicle. The cost of
the trip will be paid through fundraisers and donations.

2006 Agenda
1. P.H.S. Senior Trip

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approve a field trip from PHS for Friday, May 5, 2006 through
Wednesday, May 10, 2006 for one hundred eighteen students and fifteen chaperones to attend Grad Night at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in Orlando, Florida. This field trip will expand the students’ learning beyond the walls of the classroom into the vast community outside. This trip will provide students with experiences that cannot be duplicated in the school but are nonetheless an integral part of school instruction. Departure is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. from PHS parking lot on May 5, 2006 with a return at approximately 9:00 p.m. on May 10, 2006. The cost of the trip (transportation to and from Newark Airport) will not exceed $1,665.00 and charged to account 25POFLDTRP.