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War clouds scuttle class trips

One trustee called it "fear-mongering." Another saw it as "jumping at shadows.
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One trustee called it "fear-mongering."

Another saw it as "jumping at shadows."

But escalating world tensions prompted the Algoma District School Board to vote tonight to rescind previous approvals on four school trips to Europe, Central America and the United States.

Trustees voted 7-4 to withdraw approvals for the following:

- a trip to Chicago by music students and teachers from Korah Collegiate from April 6 to 10

- a trip to Costa Rica by students and teachers from Algoma Central Secondary School in Desbarats, planned for July

- a European tour (England, Netherlands, France) for students, teachers and two parent chaperones from Elliot Lake Secondary School from April 12 to 21

- an excursion to Washington, April 23 to 27, by five or six students and a teacher from Elliot Lake Secondary School

Korah Collegiate has already decided to replace its Chicago trip with one within the province if the board objected.

The other trips may still proceed as unofficial events if parents or community groups step in to replace teachers who may no longer participate.

Dunn football trip is a go

The board gave the nod to a Sir James Dunn Collegiate and Vocational Institute trip to Canmore, Alberta this August for a football training camp.

But it rescinded its approval on the four international trips, citing "the uncertain political scene internationally and the possible risks during international travel at this time for our students, teachers and chaperones."

Trustees will review the situation later this year to decide whether any further international travel should be allowed during the summer.

The decision to rescind the previous approvals was made tonight to allow students to recoup some of the money they've deposited with travel agents.

Trustee comments

"I have a very serious concern that we're jumping at shadows," - Elliot Lake trustee Bob Whitehead

"If boards continuously give in, terrorists are winning. What the terrorists want you to do is stay in your little building," - Sault Ste. Marie Ward 1 trustee William Hall

"If anything happpened to any of these kids, I don't think emotionally I could take that. I don't want their lives over my head, and I do believe there could be something happening," - Central Algoma trustee Donna Connolly.


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David Helwig

About the Author: David Helwig

David Helwig's journalism career spans seven decades beginning in the 1960s. His work has been recognized with national and international awards.
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