Teacher urges clearer field‑trip process so students can get curriculum‑linked experiences

Danielle Gregory, a Murfreesboro City Schools teacher, told the board that "children need real life experiences" and described field trips as "an extension of the classroom" that let students see, hear and touch what they study in class. She said the district should create a consistent process so teachers can propose trips that meet curriculum goals while respecting transportation and dismissal constraints.

Dr. Duke and staff responded that current guidance is driven by bus and driver capacity and dismissal timing; district buses are typically limited to in‑county trips and the Nashville zoo because of parking and return‑time requirements. Dr. Duke said charter buses or private vendors remain an option, and teachers can seek Foundation or external grants to cover added costs. "If a proposed field trip can stay within the budget, align with curriculum, and allow buses to return in time for dismissal, should the location alone prevent our students from having that experience?" Gregory asked; she said she will follow up with a proposed email outlining a recommended process.

The board discussed practical options: staff said charter buses cost roughly $750–$1,000 per trip and that grants (including Foundation awards and Tennessee Arts Commission grants) have been used to subsidize transportation. Dr. Duke said transportation director staff (Mr. Barger was cited by name in the discussion) can review special requests and that schools may include bus cost in the trip fee or pursue grant funding to ensure students who cannot pay are not excluded. The board did not take a formal vote on policy change but requested staff share bus‑rate and grant information with schools.