The primary reason why, board chairman Richard Higgins said, was the economy; many parents and sponsors don't have the money to pay for those trips.
"In these economic times we can't go everywhere and do everything," Higgins said. "We're trying to re-examine some of the field trips especially in the middle schools that were put on hold."
Out of state trips for middle school students would be rarely approved but there would be exceptions; Shannon George spoke up for Chestatee Middle School.
George said chorus, band and honor society trip planning took three years.
"I think it gives us a lot of hope that they will meet with our principal and hopefully approve our trips," George said.
With middle school field trips, the superintendent would meet with the principal on student particpation, funding and cost.
There would be a 'clear and confidential protocol' for families to opt out of the trip without penalty to the student and that the trip would not create a financial hardship for a substantial number of students' families.
Higgins said a key to the new approval guidelines is the Board deciding on the big field trips before any fund raising or planning starts.
"We've been putting the cart before the horse," Higgins said. "This is a little bit better process."
Out-of-state and overnight trips for elementary students would be denied except on rare occasions when the Board decides the trip presents an opportunity that deserves special consideration.
High school trips would continue to be reviewed individually considering funding, frequency and merit.
SUPPORTING A COURT FIGHT
Board members voted to support the court fight against what they call an unconstitutional use of local funds by the state charter school commission.
Board member Sam Chapman said the Gwinnett County School Board launched the lawsuit; he said there's no accountability to the taxpayers when the commission creates schools and uses local school dollars.
"If it goes through the state commission, thereâ
Parents discussed new field trip rules with the School Board
http://accesswdun.com/article/2009/10/224081