In November, a school principal, a teacher, and three students from Archangel, Russia, visited Westbrook. Now, with a chance to reciprocate, some school officials are concerned for student safety, given the lengthy travel and current political climate in the region.

The sister-city relationship between Greater Portland and Archangel was spearheaded by Westbrook officials in the late 1980s, and since then the two communities have maintained the relationship through regular visits from delegations and student exchange programs.

The offer to visit stems from a joint photography exhibit that includes a number of students from Westbrook High School and students from Archangel. The show, which is on display at Walker Memorial Library, features work from both countries and winning shots chosen by a jury. Westbrook’s first-, second- and third-place winners were invited to Russia by Archangel officials to take part in programming related to the photo exhibit, as well as the annual “America Week” at School N21 in Archangel. The trip is planned for April 12-18.

Last year, a delegation, including Westbrook City Councilor Michael Foley, made the trip in April to participate in “America Week,” which is seen as an educational program for Russian students.

The Westbrook High School art department has received a $4,854 grant from the U.S. consulate in St. Petersburg, which, according to art department director Sarah Swain, will cover the cost of two chaperones and about 11?2 students. The remaining funds toward sending all three students would have to be raised – roughly $1,300 per student.

At the Westbrook School Committee’s Jan. 14 meeting, which held a first reading on the trip, committee members Jim Violette and Alex Stone had some concerns.

Stone said he was concerned that because the trip didn’t fall under a school club, such as when the French Club or Spanish Club travel abroad, it falls directly “under the school’s purview.”

“When the French Club wants to go on a trip, there’s a fairly exhaustive process of vetting,” he said. “This is very different than those clubs, this is a school-sanctioned event.”

However, Stone said, he “wasn’t questioning the educational experience, I know there’s values in all of those trips. My thought is that the club trips are theoretically outside the schools purview.”

Westbrook High School Principal Jon Ross said the visit from Russian school staff and students, which was an 11-day trip, was a great experience for Westbrook students.

“As they departed, an opportunity came about for us to return the favor,” he said. “This is based around art, the curriculum and the culture between the two cities.”

Violette, the committee chairman, said that while Westbrook has a great relationship with Archangel, the relationships between the U.S. and Russia “are not good right now.”

“That’s why I’m torn,” he said. “I’m very uncomfortable with three kids and two adults going to Russia at this point in time.”

Despite the concerns, the committee voted 5-2 in favor of the trip, with a second reading scheduled for the Feb. 11 School Committee meeting next week.

During the meeting, Superintendent of Schools Marc Gousse said the department didn’t know about the proposal until late fall, when the photo exhibit was first completed. He said the school department vets all travel through the U.S. Department of State, and ultimately, it’s up to parents to decide whether their children should travel.

Last week, Gousse said the concern surrounding the trip is normal for any student trip dealing with international travel.

“There’s always inherent risks in any travel,” he said. “But, I’m supportive of that trip, and I recommended approval.”

Swain, who will be making the trip as a chaperone along with art teacher Matt Johnson, said last week that all staff members can do is follow the public safety guidelines for international travel, as well as Gousse’s recommendation.

“If the trip is approved, but the climate shifts and it turns out it’s not fit for traveling internationally with students, we won’t,” she said. “It’s pretty black and white.”

City Councilor Michael Foley, who made the trip to Archangel last year, said Monday that he still views Russia as a “very secure” country for travel from the U.S.

“I can’t imagine any issues,” he said.