Simmering Dispute Reaches Emotional Conclusion at School Committee Meeting [WITH VIDEO]

A long-simmering disagreement over an educational trip to Europe proposed by high school music director Timothy Savoy, a trip for students enrolled in various music programs, finally received School Committee approval by a vote of 6 members in favor with member Leslie Lathrop opposed. Lathrop expressed her opposition to the proposed trip by walking away from the meeting table in a huff, without registering a vote.

School committee member Leslie Lathrop's reasons for opposition to educational trip were not entirely clear, but appeared to focus on her belief that the school's educational resources should be focused on opportunities closer to home.

The trip was proposed last spring by Music Director Timothy Savoy and would include travel to Italy and and a couple other European countries. When the trip was first proposed, School Committee members were split and voted 2 - 2 - 2 with two in favor, two opposed and two abstentions. The tie vote at that time meant the trip was not approved. The vote did not sit well with parents and students and over the summer they worked hard to find a method of funding the trip.

They approached the School Committee and asked them to reconsider their vote last spring. The School Committee agreed to reconsider the trip. Commenting on their vote to rconsider, Chariman Allsion Manugian said, "This was an issue parents and students felt strongly about. They wanted us to reconsider our vote, and we were happy to do so."

Speaking in support of the trip, member John Giger said, "There's more parent support here than I've seen in my three-plus years on the Board." He added that if parents want to fund the program, "I don't believe it's our job to make that decision for them." Leslie Lathrop interrupted Giger, asking rhetorically, "What is our job?" In exasperation member Giger responded, "I'm surprised you're here." At which point member Lathrop stormed away from the meeting.

The meeting was packed with parents and students who supported the trip and School Committee member John Giger said he had never seen as many people attend a school Committee meeting as he saw on Oct. 9. Giger expressed disappointment with the behavior of Lathrop terming it "inappropriate."

In addition, Chairman Allison Manugian said her hope and expectation is that "the Committee will always function smoothly." With the vote, parents and students will begin planning and fund raising for the trip. Giger said he hopes that everyone will move on in a positive way.