Plymouth School Committee Approves New Equity Policy for Field Trips
Policy aims to ensure all students can participate regardless of financial barriers
PLYMOUTH - April 28 - The Plymouth School Committee has approved a new policy aimed at ensuring equity and accessibility for all students regarding excursions and international trips. The policy, which was jokingly referred to as the "Jim Sorensen policy" during Monday's meeting, requires trip sponsors to actively reach out to students who may face financial barriers.
"The overkill on the policy is we've always heard that money is available through fundraising. We've always heard that," said School Committee member James Sorensen. "What we're emphasizing with this policy is we're putting some responsibility on the sponsors of the trip to make sure they reach out to the children who don't have the funds."
The policy includes specific requirements for trip organizers to document their efforts to ensure all students can participate, regardless of financial circumstances.
"This policy really stresses the district's commitment to encourage all students to apply, encourage all students to be able to go whether or not they can afford to go, and really puts some parameters in place for the teachers and staff who are running the trips," explained Assistant Superintendent Stacey Rogers.
The policy includes an application process for students facing financial barriers and asks specific questions of trip advisors about measures they'll implement to ensure equity and access.
Committee member Christina Bryant noted the policy aligns with practices already in place for some trips.
"When I look at that application and I see under trip description are there any financial hardships, personal loss, or extenuating circumstances, the question appearing before the essay, I would question or I would challenge that people may be dissuaded to continue on with their passion," Bryant said, suggesting the application form be adjusted to avoid discouraging students.
The committee unanimously approved the policy with the understanding that minor adjustments would be made to the application form.
The discussion came as the committee also approved several field trips, including a Plymouth North Student Council trip to Hyannis and a Plymouth South High School vocal music and theater trip to Nashville in 2026.
During the Nashville trip presentation, Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator Michael Campbell emphasized, "Point blank, if a student wants to go on this trip, they will go. We will find a way, and finances won't be a reason they will not be able to attend the trip."
In other business, the committee received an update on potential costs associated with relocating or expanding the district's preschool program to address growing special education needs.
Superintendent Chris Campbell reported that Plymouth Public Schools has seen a 41% increase in special education referrals for preschool students over the last five years, significantly outpacing the state's 6% increase.
"We're seeing a significant rise in our special education identification in those three-year-old students," Campbell said. "So we definitely have the need."
The district is exploring options including moving the preschool program to Plymouth South Middle School or potentially operating at two locations. Business Administrator Adam Blaisdell presented cost estimates for both scenarios.
"If we were to move to one [location], we're talking about $215,000. If we were looking at both sites, you're looking at about $400,000," Blaisdell said. "But if you take out the staffing, you're talking about $120,000 in staffing. So just to create the sites, you're talking about $280,000."
Committee members expressed interest in exploring the two-site option, noting that preschool needs are unlikely to decrease.
"Looking at these numbers, obviously, it's a huge increase in price to have the two sites, but as we all know, nothing is getting any cheaper," said committee member Ashley Shaw. "If we are going to need two sites in the future, I'd rather see us flesh out that entire possibility, because doing it now will just save us money in the future."
The committee plans to schedule site visits to both the current preschool location and the proposed space at Plymouth South Middle School, with representatives from the preschool staff present to address concerns.
The committee also:
- Heard school improvement plan presentations from Hedge Elementary School and Federal Furnace Elementary School
- Approved a resolution for transportation reform to address predatory pricing for special education transportation
- Approved updated job descriptions for a special education out-of-district liaison and assistant director of special education
- Received updates on the district's master planning committee and building committee
- Acknowledged two staff retirements: Linda Perryclear, a vocational paraeducator at Plymouth South High School with 17 years of service, and Dorothy McGrath, a food service worker at Plymouth South Middle School with 25 years of service
The committee also heard from several students and parents advocating for a student with Down syndrome to be able to transition to middle school with his classmates and friends.
The next School Committee meeting is scheduled for May 6.