Good News for 8th Grade Students
After Taylor Middle School’s planned trip to Washington, D.C. at the end of May was challenged by the recent shut down of a tour company, the building principal immediately began investigating options to ensure the eighth grade students would still be able to travel as intended. Cancelling this trip entirely was never an option Three Rivers wanted to consider.
“We are very relieved to announce that with the support of our Board of Education, private donations, incredible effort by the principal and others, we were able to save the annual Taylor Middle School trip to Washington, D.C. Travel is a rite of passage at Three Rivers and supports our core values; our students have had the opportunity to travel to Europe, New York City, Iowa, Costa Rica, and the South Pacific for many years. The thought of our kids not going did not sit well with me nor many others,” said Superintendent Hockenberry.
On behalf of the District, we are truly apologetic to our parents and students that have had to endure this unfortunate situation.
We received word late last night that Discovery Tours filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the US bankruptcy court and we are going to monitor this closely as parents continue to dispute their payments and receive refunds.
For any families affected by this, please see the information below from Attorney General, Mike DeWine and continue to stay in touch with Principal Simms.
Attorney General DeWine Statement on Discovery Tours
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today issued the following statement on Discovery Tours, a tour company that has generated more than 170 complaints since Wednesday:
“Like many schools and families, we are very concerned about what’s happening with Discovery Tours and we want answers. As we gather information, I want Ohioans to know that this is a priority for my office, and we will do everything we can to assist. We want to hear from Ohioans who have used this company.”
Between late Wednesday evening and Friday morning, the Ohio Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section received more than 170 complaints about Discovery Tours, primarily from parents who said they were concerned about canceled school trips after they had paid the company hundreds of dollars.
Attorney General DeWine’s Consumer Protection Section is reaching out to potentially affected school districts and gathering information from consumers. Affected consumers are encouraged to file a complaint with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
Complaints may be filed online on the Ohio Attorney General’s website or by calling the Attorney General’s Help Center between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 800-282-0515. The office also has created a special complaint form that schools and individuals may use; however, using the special form is not required, and those who have already filed complaints do not need to file again.