BENTON -- Wary of litigation, School Administrative District 49 directors on Thursday night discussed what might -- and what might not be -- a school-sponsored foreign trip.

Basically, it boiled down to one question: Is it a school-sponsored venture if the trip is organized by a teacher, without the blessing of the school district? The SAD 49 policy committee will decide.

"I think it should go for a major discussion to the policy committee," said Steven Grenier of Albion.

Karen Kusik of Fairfield agreed, and board consensus ensued.

Superintendent Dean Baker prompted the discussion.

"It's an area of potential liability for any school district, especially in light of the litigious atmosphere of today," Baker said. Baker later said that such discussion might reduce the potential for a lawsuit.

Kusik and others supported student trips to foreign countries.

"One trip was coordinated at a teacher's home," she said. "I would not have considered it a school trip."

Leanne Stevens of Fairfield disagreed.

"I think if you have teachers taking students on a trip, it's a school trip," Stevens said.

"I take issue with that," said Clayton McLaughlin of Benton. "I don't think that we should be taking responsibility for that."

Marie Strout of Clinton and Lisa Irving of Fairfield both said that if a trip is organized and approved by the school, it is a school trip.

Stevens, however, used student behavior off school grounds as an example for her viewpoint. Students have been punished in the past for behavior off school grounds, she said.

"It's a matter of consistency," Stevens said.

Grenier concurred, mentioning that students sign agreements according to an athletic code, making them responsible for certain behavior off school grounds.

Earlier, the board -- abiding by a new Maine statute -- provided a brief training session on the public's right to freedom of access. Davis passed out a booklet that outlined what is and is not public information.

Vice chairman Harry Fitzpatrick of Benton advised board members not to conduct school business through e-mail.

"Remember the old adage, e-mail is not private," Fitzpatrick said.

Fitzpatrick reminded the board that anyone can request to inspect and copy records, and that a written request is not required.

"We have five working days to deny a request," he said. "If responding, it must be within a reasonable time. The individual can request any date they want. We can charge to search for that data."

Kusik then asked if the public has the right to speak at school board meetings.

"It's been the board's practice to let people talk," Baker said. "Many boards restrict that."

Larry Grard -- 861-9239

lgrard@centralmaine.com