Another Maine district looks at policy for water field trips

BANGOR, Maine – Another school district in Maine is looking to tighten up its standards for water-related field trips as a result of the drowning death of a Lewiston middle schooler.

The Bangor Daily News reports the Bangor School Department has new guidelines scheduled for final approval on Sept. 26. The guidelines are inspired by recommendations from a report published this summer by law enforcement officials and water safety experts.

The report detailed the investigation into the drowning of 13-year-old Rayan Issa in June at Range Pond. It found that few Maine school districts have addressed water-related field trips with formal policies.

Lewiston Superintendent Bill Webster announced proposed changes to his school district’s field trip policies last week. Some School Committee members said the proposed restrictions were too extreme.