Board gives approval for planning for Disney trip

The Freedom Flight Prison of War and Missing in Action Hot Air Balloon will be tethered on Prescott School District property on Saturday, May 1.

The school district received the request from Dean Markuson of Hastings, who is helping raise funds for American Legion Posts in Prescott, Hastings, MN and Hampton MN with balloon events in each community.

It will be free for community members to get into the balloon, which will be tethered in the field off of Borner Street near the high school. Donations will be accepted to help the local Legion Post.

The City of Prescott reviewed a similar request in early March and didn’t have a problem with the event, pending school district approval. The school district confirmed that there is a $1 million liability insurance policy on the balloon, which the board required for the event to go-ahead. It was reviewed at the school board’s March 17 meeting.

“We have confirmed he has liability insurance for $1 million,” said Superintendent Dr. Rick Spicuzza.

“I’m excited we’re able to figure this out and have this opportunity. Part of being a school district is community partnerships,” said board member Tanya Holub.

The board also gave the go-ahead for band director Jason Canfield to plan a trip to Disney World in the Spring 2022, which will coincide with spring break.

The trip is done every four years, and Disney reopened this spring for performances.

“It’s been a really interesting year, obviously,” said Canfield. “We wanted to make sure we cane through the board and talked through this.”

He said 100-150 people typically go on the trips, and he’s working with travel professionals to put together a trip.

“One of the things we understand is that no one controls COVID,” said Spicuzza. “We are asking permission tonight for Jason to move forward. We want to make sure the board is informed and understands that if the environment changes you will have the power to weigh in and even cancel the trip.”

Canfield said they are looking into making sure money would be refundable and that would include trip insurance.

“This year, I think the biggest thing is to be looking at insurance policies and cancellation policies. I reached out to Principal Josh Figi and Dr. Spicuzza and said I don’t want to take this on myself. I think we need to look at this together and find the best solution.”

The board was excited to have the trip back and hopeful there are no problems that would cause it to be cancelled.

“One thing that’s important is bringing back some of our traditions and things we’ve done in the past. I really look forward to having some of those traditions come back. It might look a little different but I hope not,” said Holub.

The board approved unanimously that planning for the trip can move forward.