District 225 will no longer cover the costs of national student field trips to ensure all trips are covered in a consistent manner, and to provide more funding for students who receive free and reduced lunch, Superintendent Dr. R.J. Gravel said.

Previously, the district helped to cover the cost of certain national field trips, meaning students received inconsistent amounts of supportive assistance for varying school-sponsored trips, Gravel said. The policy was officially changed at the Aug. 26, 2024 board meeting, and enforcement began July 1, 2025.

The policy brings District 225 in line with comparable schools in the area, Gravel said.

“[The district] was comparing ourselves to [what] other neighboring districts [were doing], and we
found a pretty big distinction,” Gravel said. “There was no coverage for students who had an inability to pay through [the previous] policy, except for [certain] designated trips.”

The cost of field trips includes the hotels, flights, and entry fees at competitions or conferences, Jesse Sisler, Special Education Teacher and Model UN advisor, said.

In order to reduce costs, South’s clubs have begun to rely on fundraising, Sisler said. Model UN raise money in various ways, such as trivia nights, parents’ silent auctions, and bake sales.

“[The advisors] determine how much we think is reasonable for the student to pay and how much
should come from fundraising,” Sisler said.

Although district funding has been eliminated from national field trips, students that qualify for financial aid are able to be assisted through the new field trip policy, Gravel said.

“[The district] now has the ability to support students [requiring financial aid] to be able to go on
[district issued] trips,” Gravel said.