Bad Field Trip?

The Seattle Public Schools is arranging to take students, by bus, to hear the Dalai Lama speak this Monday at Key Arena at a "Seeds of Compassion" event.

The Dalai Lama, by the way, is the leader of a religion - Tibetan Buddhism - that has adherents all over the world. He's also considered the leader of the nation of Tibet.

Using taxpayer money to transport students to an event that will obviously have religious overtones isn't a good idea. At least it shouldn't be if they (the Seattle Public Schools) want to be consistent. Would they ever consider taking the kids to see Pope Benedict XVI? We know what the answer would be - it's rhetorical.
We know they wouldn't.