By Joe Hadsall

jhadsall@joplinglobe.com

The Joplin R-8 Board of Education during its meeting Tuesday will review and approve upcoming, overnight trips for students.

The trips include competitions and conferences for students involved in extra- and co-curricular activities, said Anne Sharp, board president.

“Last year, the board requested an update on what overnight field trips students would take,” Sharp said. “We want to be aware of them, since they require more supervision.”

The board will review two lists of trips, one for Joplin High School students, the other for Franklin Technology Center students.

The trips include district and national competitions for the speech and debate team, a drill competition for the JROTC, a Key Club convention in Arkansas, three competitions for the Physics Club, the fall leadership conference for the Future Business Leaders of America, and the national Skills USA competition.

In other business, the board will:

n Set the calendar for the 2009-10 school year. The calendar calls for school to begin Wednesday, Aug. 19, and end Thursday, June 3.

Winter break would begin Monday, Dec. 21, and end Tuesday, Jan. 5. Spring break would be March 15-19.

n Discuss rearranging the agenda for the monthly meeting. Sharp said the agenda should still include sessions for members of the public to speak and for regular agenda items.

“When a new superintendent comes in, they have recommendations on the way they would like the meeting to run,” Sharp said.

n Meet in closed session during a work session before the regular meeting. The board will discuss a student disciplinary matter during the closed session.