Jordan School District's student travel policy, and whether it should be restricted following Sept. 11 terrorism, remains up in the air.
High school principals were asked to give input on trip safety and costs, which sometimes exceed $1,000. But in a Tuesday board study session, the leaders' philosophies were all over the map.
Some trips might benefit students with scholarships and academic growth, though such ends also might be achieved without leaving home. Some trips seem superfluous but may provide emotional growth and lifetime experience.
"Where do you draw the line?" Brighton principal Bob Sproul said. "These are very tough issues."
Jordan's travel policy was revised last January to restrict students from driving on long trips after two Salt Lake City debate students were killed in a car crash on the way home from California.
Things have changed. The United States has declared war on terrorism. And the Utah Supreme Court has ruled signing liability waivers doesn't preclude parents from filing lawsuits if children are hurt.
The district allows high school students to travel when "anticipated educational benefits warrant the required expenditures, comparable experiences are not available at the local school, and the travel costs will not burden families." Schools are limited to 15 overnight trips a year.
But the board wonders if trips should be restricted based on length, cost or distance.
President Ralph Haws found students traveling for school activities will lose a combined 5,492 school days this year. By his calculations, considering a 180-day school calendar, the 73,000 students in the district will attend school more than 13.1 million school days this year.
"We're sending performing groups to Rhode Island and New York to have a Broadway experience. But why can't you go to the Capitol Theatre" in Salt Lake City instead, Haws said. "We understand this can be a sensitive, emotional area . . . but I'm not afraid to go there because I think it's gone beyond what's appropriate."
Drill teams, for instance, travel to California and Florida for national competitions. But there are several "national championships" every year, leading some principals to view them as money grabs.
On the other hand, students in clubs such as Model U.N. travel to singular national contests to compete for scholarships. Athletes might be recruited to top colleges through national camps.
Jordan High principal Marilyn Richards, however, believes students grow emotionally and intellectually when they leave town for academic or athletic reasons. "I don't think the time these students are on these trips is totally lost."
Several principals and board members worried about providing equal opportunities to all families. On the other hand, board member Ellen Wallace doesn't want to punish more affluent schools because not everyone can afford trips.
"That's life," she said.
The board took no action following the discussion.
E-MAIL: jtcook@desnews.com