Ms. Chen asked for the actual cost of the trip, and what the Board's responsibility is.  Mr. Wasser noted that the Committee is only approving the trip to the extent that if it complies with the requirements of the Fiscal Policies and Procedures (FPP).  Ms. Kim stated that this type of situation typically would not arise, as the students and their parents/guardians are always responsible for the majority of the cost for such trips.  The initial request asked that the school pay for the entry fee (the school is also responsible for transportation of the instruments), and the remainder would be paid through "fundraising."  However, an issue arose because the "fundraising" money referred to was money that was put into the Music Department Trust back in 2013.  Mr. Darby advised that the problem was that it was never asked how the trip was going to be paid for, which was an error by both the band department and the administration.  It should have been identified from the start as to what portion the school would pay for, and which part the students would have to pay for and how they would pay for it.  Mr. Darby stated that ECR has committed to fund a portion of the overall trip, in the total sum of $33,611.00.  To date, the students have raised $11,835.00; their remaining obligation is $9,018.00.  Mr. Darby noted that the Committee has to decide whether to make up any shortage, which would include taking $5,000 from the separate Music Department Trust to make up some of this shortage.

This trip is necessary to provide practice for the Academic Decathlon team.