Washington school board approves BPA trip funding

WASHINGTON - School board members have approved a request from Business Professionals of America students to help finance the club’s trip to the National Leadership Conference in Chicago this May.

Washington BPA President Lane Schrock said the event was a tremendous opportunity for the students who qualified.

“You get a ticket to the next level, the top placers at State then go on to compete (with) every BPA organization in the U.S.,” he said. “To send students and for students to have the chance to compete there, I think, is really important for our chapter and the students as a whole.”

School board members said they were impressed by a presentation from BPA members, and ultimately voted in favor of a $1,400 allocation to the program for Nationals. The money will help offset 14 students’ travel costs, according to Schrock.

The school board’s allocation exceeds BPA’s initial $700-1,050 ask. Board members said they realized the move could set an expectation for other extracurricular programs seeking a budget boost, but said they were comfortable setting the bar at national-level qualification.

Board Member Kara Williams said other groups coming in with similar asks would be, “a good problem to have.”

“I think if we’re setting a precedent, we’re setting it at Nationals,” she said. “It’s not, ‘Every time we go to state,’ or anything like that. It’s if a group or someone would go to Nationals, it’s kind of a big deal.”

The motion passed on an informal condition, imposed by Board President Troy Suchan, that BPA members come back later to brief decision-makers on their trip to Nationals.

“We would definitely like to hear from y’all more than when you just come ask for money,” he said. “So I’m going to ask you to come back, after you’re done, to let us know how things went.”

Suchan and Superintendent Willie Stone said the money would come from the school’s general fund. If the money becomes too taxing on the district’s budget, Suchan said organizers could find a solution.

“If every group we have gets to Nationals and they qualify for Nationals, we can change our policy,” Suchan said. “Then, we might as well start a fund for it. If it’s going to help get more kids to go to nationals, I guarantee you there’s employers around town that want to see kids striving to do that stuff that will gladly give money to it.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com