School board urges Bel Aire to explore keeping overnight diversity camp

Reed Union School District board members have directed Bel Aire Elementary School officials to explore ways to continue the school’s longstanding partnership with The Mosaic Project overnight camp through next year, despite a principal’s recommendation to pause the program.

Principal John DiCosmo had recommended temporarily suspending the four-night diversity camp for fourth graders starting next year. He cited cost concerns, staffing difficulties, safety concerns among some parents, equity issues for students who choose not to participate and questions about how consistently the camp’s lessons were being integrated into classrooms.

The recommendation sparked outcry among many parents who said the experience had been fundamental in their children’s growth.

At the district board’s June 3 meeting, board members directed DiCosmo and district Superintendent Kimberly McGrath to work with representatives from Mosaic to address the district’s concerns and provide an opportunity for students to attend next year while the school continues exploring alternatives.

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