Parents OK Florida-London Student Travel

^{Category: Educational Student Travel | United Kingdom Travel | London Tube}

Fort Myers, Florida, parents voted yes to student travel by 101-3 tonight, almost three weeks after a local school board quashed a United Kingdom trip by marching band members. School officials had earlier declined an invitation to participate in London's New Year's Day parade, citing potential terrorism activity concerns stemming from the London tube bombings of 2005; international attention followed a statement by one Lee County school advisor ("Florida school to London: 'We don't have trains blowing up in America' "), and funding offers flooded in.

Worldwide furor

After hearing of the school's original decision, some London Parade officials reacted with indignation and London mayor Ken Livingstone lauded London's safety; UK media were quick to spotlight Lee County's murder rate and crime statistics. Florida guv Jeb Bush pointed to the fact that no travel government advisories currently exist for England, and parents and students worldwide commented on the South Florida's News-Press user forum.

Several travel writers expressed dismay that students would miss "the chance of a lifetime," noting the educational and social opportunities inherent in student travel. The News-Press reports that the Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Stonehenge may be visited on the now upcoming trip, though students must raise a total of over $270K -- according to the same report, funding offers are now being fielded by the high school's office.

"Based on fear"

In March, Herb Wiseman, Lee school consultant for secondary operations, was quoted by the News-Press as saying, "Everything we do is for the safety of kids. We just feel like we’re safer in America than if we go abroad.”

"What they're doing is voicing diaspproval based on their fear of litigation," said longtime Washington school board member Mike Lyon of school boards' reluctant to sanction student travel. Lyon, who was elected 18 years straight and appointed for another four in Prosser, Washiington, said elected officials must serve the best interests of those whom they serve.

"I think it's abhorrent to base a decison simply on being afraid that you're going to get sued. You can get hurt walking across the street," Lyon said.

A Florida high school band director, Jose Lopez, told the Port Charlotte Sun Herald that he and students traveled to London for the parade three years ago and called the school board-sanctioned trip a "once-in-a-lifetime experience"; he is quoted as saying, "The board here is extremely supportive of the kids."

Fort Myers officials initially refused to reconsider the attention-getting decision or speak to press. The students are slated to leave for London in late December.

• "Parents vote 'yes' for London trip"
• "Board passes buck"
• "Florida school to London: 'We don't have trains blowing up in America' "
• How to ride the London tube

Checks may be sent to: Fort Myers High School
Attn: Marching Band, 2635 Cortez Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33901