Chance may determine whether Clarkston sends one school official or two to a federal conference this February.
With costs including $570 registration, $200-300 for hotel, plus airfare, Clarkston can’t afford to send more than one school board member to the Federal Relations Network Conference, said Trustee Karen Foyteck at Monday’s meeting.
“In our circumstances, every penny counts,” said Foyteck, the lone dissenting vote on a consent agenda including the Washington D.C. conference.
The county school board association provides scholarships to local districts, but chooses recipients randomly, she said.
The conference will provide a valuable opportunity to meet with legislators and shape federal education policy, said board President Stephen Hyer.
‘It’s important that we represent what is going on here in Clarkston,? Hyer said. ‘If I didn’t think it had an impact, I certainly wouldn’t be going.
Attending the conference with Trustee Cheryl McGinnis would build experience and relationships with Washington, he said.
? Phil Custodio