Some taxpayers say they are outraged after it was revealed they paid the tab to send Shoreham-Wading River High School seniors on a class trip to Disney World last month.
About 80 percent of the senior class at Shoreham-Wading River High School went on the four-day trip to Orlando, at a cost of about $153,000.
The trip to Disney World is a long-standing tradition. However, in the past the students’ families paid most costs and far fewer seniors came along.
While many students say the trip was a valuable experience, the majority of people News 12 spoke with who live in the area say they just don't see the educational benefit.
“I don't think it is educational,” says one resident. “I have kids, they're all grown now, but I mean I would've love them to have a free trip on the taxpayers, but never happened.”
In a statement, school district officials say, “Each year, the district reviews its policies and practices in an effort to best serve our student body, while also being financially prudent with taxpayer dollars. That said, the district has allotted significantly less funding in the 2017-18 budget for school sponsored trips..."
It also says that the school board allocated $40,000 for next year's class trip in the district's proposed 2017-2018 budget, and that while it will continue to financially support the excursions, funding will only support the educational components of the trip, and may not include food, transportation and lodging.