By Matthew Maneval From Hillsdale, Mich Daily news

WALDON — Monday night the Waldron Area Schools Board of Education approved the class of 2015’s senior trip with five members for the motion and two against it.

The senior class will depart from Fort Lauderdale, Florida on a six-day Carnival cruise during their final spring break, where they will have educational opportunities including snorkeling and hiking and destinations including the Cayman Islands and Mexico.

The board raised concerns regarding the safety of the students and investigated whether any U.S. destinations were considered.

Class advisor Anita Myers said U.S. coastal locations were considered, however, it was difficult to find a rental company willing to rent a house to high school students.

Price factors were also weighed in deciding on a cruise over a U.S. coastal location.

The high prices during spring break in the U.S. make a cruise more feasible for students.

Despite concerns, the board approved the proposed trip, insuring that Waldron Area Schools remains a district that still allows senior trips when most area schools deny students such an opportunity.

Several students were in attendance at the meeting.

In addition to the senior class trip, Waldron High School civics students were present to observe the meeting’s agenda and procedures.

The present civics students introduced themselves to the board and took notes throughout the meeting so they could analyze and report their experience.

To give the students a general understanding of board-teacher relations, board members informed the students that negotiations with teachers are behind closed doors due to state law.

Plans were also discussed for the summer of 2014.

Superintendent Jose N. Vera announced plans including a summer program for K-5 students and “door to door visits” to students.

Vera would like to “knock on doors to those who are going to other schools and find out why.” He noted the success in bearing the longer school year due to the amount of snow days this past winter.

Dismissal for Waldron Area Schools is June 18.

For more on this story go to: http://www.hillsdale.net/article/20140611/News/140619829#ixzz34LfwkzH0