Published: October 16, 2008 01:34 pm      

MEDINA: School Board reviews proposals for FFA, baseball teams.

Despite the economic crunch being felt nationwide, the Medina Board of Education is considering field trip proposals set forth by two of the district’s organizations.

The Future Farmers of America club, as well as the Medina Mustangs baseball teams are seeking the opportunity to allow students to travel as part of their participation in the clubs.

According to acting school superintendent Albie Suozzi, FFA is looking for board approval to take students to a national conference from Oct. 21 to 25 in Indianapolis.

“This is a great leadership opportunity for the students,” Suozzi explained. The remaining cost of the trip will be $325, because most of the expenses will be paid for by the individual students’ participation in apple and citrus sales.

Board member Susanne Keryk, whose own child participated, said it was a wonderful trip for the students who would be participating. Maureen Blackburn expressed concerns over the co-ed group of students, and inquired who the chaperone was and how they would be caring for a co-ed group of students.

“I would like to know who the chaperone is — I’ve never been comfortable with this (trip), and I have a real concern in this area,” Blackburn said. “In previous trips, chaperones have had very strict guidelines, but this group has been very lax in providing their own.”

Todd Bensley, who is in his second year as the varsity baseball head coach, also approached the board regarding a southern spring break trip he had in mind for his team.

“In spite of the fact that we have a million-dollar field, baseball really cannot be conducted when it’s 40 degrees out,” Bensley said. “We start training in March and are in the gym for a month. ... It’s not the best situation. I think going down there will give us the best opportunity to be ready for the spring season.”

Bensley was interested in taking the athletes to Myrtle Beach, S.C., to participate in the Ripken Experience — a baseball camp hosted by Cal Ripken Jr. and his brother, Bill. He explained the facility has several fields set up

see travel on page 4

travel ...

continued from page 1

in the style of historic ballparks with batting cages and pitching mounds to facilitate the practice of baseball. He said he talked to the coaches of several other Western New York teams, including Batavia and Eden, and has had positive feedback from the camp.

“Whenever kids travel together, they bond as well, sharing an experience,” Bensley said. “Someone might question during tough economic times — I look at this as a break for the parents. If they can’t take a family vacation, they can send one kid. Batavia did last year, their coach had nothing but good things — you could tell how much more prepared they were.”

Board member Rosalind Lind said she felt low-income families might have trouble affording the trip. Bensley said he hopes to build up as much money as possible in the team’s account to make it affordable for the greatest number of players.

“I’d love to not have any kid pay any money out of their pockets, but the reality is they’ll probably pay $100 to $200 per person,” he said. “Most are varsity or junior varsity kids who have jobs, and if they want to go, they’ll find a way.”