Hatfield School Committee Approves Philadelphia Band Trip for Spring 2023

HATFIELD — May 11, 2022 — Hatfield School Committee unanimously approves planning for a spring 2023 Philadelphia band trip and accepts a $500 nursing donation. The committee cleared Band Director Duncan Hurst's proposal to send approximately 60 Smith Academy students in grades seven through twelve to the World Strides Heritage Festival in Philadelphia, April 27-30, 2023, at an estimated cost of $800 to $1,000 per student before fundraising — triggering a required request-for-proposals process for any contract exceeding $10,000. Superintendent Michael Wood also reported early talks with Hadley Public Schools on a shared food-services director arrangement that could save Hatfield roughly $15,000 annually. The committee approved budget line-item transfers and accepted a $500 CDC tobacco-survey payment earned by Smith Academy nurse Martha Elliott, directing the funds to the school nurses' supply account. The town meeting held the previous evening approved the school department's full budget without significant opposition.