Washington schools green light service trip

WASHINGTON — Members of the Washington school board voted unanimously to approve a service trip opportunity for high school students to Guatemala in 2024, which includes construction of a one-room house, climbing a volcano and several other hands-on activities.

The vote came after complaints from Board President Troy Suchan, who said he was disappointed that students with physical disabilities would be unable to participate. Suchan’s position as the board’s president makes him chair of the body, but removes his ability to vote on most district actions.

"I understand it’s a great trip and I understand it builds homes for people in Guatemala, and I have nothing against that,“ he said. ”What I am against is us teaching our kids to accept everybody and be inclusive, and then doing things that are not inclusive. I believe there’s lots of trips that can be done that would be inclusive to everybody, that would include everybody.“

Suchan said the issue hit close to home for his family, where one student uses a wheelchair.

“This is the second trip that my daughter’s had the opportunity to go to, since she’s been in school,” he said. “This will be the second one that she’s told that it’s not possible for her to go. And to me that’s not right, that’s not why we’re here, and I have a real problem with that … it just gets really old going home and telling her that she can’t be involved.”

Suchan suggested that service opportunities existed closer to the district that would still get students engaged.

“Last time I checked, you don’t have to go outside of Washington County to find somebody without a home,” he said. “Isn’t there other trips out there that could include everybody? I think that’d be worth looking at.”

School board Member Mindi Rees said those options could be explored without giving up the Guatemala trip.

“I hate that, for your daughter, that that’s what these two trips have been,” she said. “However, I don’t want to keep this opportunity from kids that can go. But I think there’s definitely opportunity for growth.”

Science Teacher Lydia Davis, who pitched the trip to board members, said she agreed with Suchan, but had few alternatives to now-approved service trip.

"This is the thing that I have connections with and opportunity and experience, so that’s what I’m bringing forward,“ she said.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com