Feb. 14—GROVE CITY — After a lengthy debate Monday night, Grove City school directors approved an Orlando trip for students in the gifted program to compete in academic games.
"It catches everybody off guard with a high dollar figure," said Randy Arnold, chair of the student affairs and activities committee.
The proposal calls for the district to cover most of the cost of the trip — up to $25,445. The amount depends largely on how many students qualify for the National Academic Tournament in April.
There's the potential for up to 25 students to qualify, and two adult chaperones will accompany the group.
Arnold cast the lone "no" vote on the trip and wondered if there was a way to cut down on the travel expenses. The motion passed 7 to 1; Dr. Armando Sciullo was absent.
The discussion came soon after parent Tricia Whitling spoke during public comment at the beginning of the meeting to ask why the gifted students aren't doing their own fundraising for the trip like other student groups.
"These kids can fundraise just like the band kids can fundraise ... I'm constantly buying things from people," she said.
She is active with the PTO, which raises money for field trips, she said, adding that the fourth-graders have to pay $50 out-of-pocket for the class' annual Harrisburg trip.
She has spoken to other parents with similar concerns and acknowledged that the academic games trip is also an annual event if enough students qualify.
All of the students deserve that same kind of support, and it's not an appropriate use of funds, she said.
"And I'll continue to tell people because I think it's crazy," Whitling said.
Whitling questioned whether any board members have children on the Academic Games trip. She said any board member affected should abstain from the vote because they would personally benefit from the district paying for the trip.
Board member Patty Wilson said none of the board members had children who would be making the trip.
The meeting agenda included an executive summary about the Florida trip submitted by Jennifer Connelly, the district's director of pupil services.
The summary notes that the trip was worked into the budget for this school year and expenses include flights, hotels, competition registration and a bus to the event.
The district could save about $3,000 on the trip if the group opts out of the food plan, which is $150 per person. The attendees will pay for their own food while traveling to and from Florida.
Arnold asked about the $500 cost to get the students to and from the Grove City area to a pickup and drop-off point in New Castle.