[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6693856,"mediaKeyId","2257227-d2a20efd5008a8f89fd87282e853a7c0","parentId",2257227,"title","Coaches tell board robotics costs run tens of thousands a year and ask district and community for help","audioSeconds",2640,"startMs",2892000,"endMs",5532000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2257227-d2a20efd5008a8f89fd87282e853a7c0&start=2892&end=5532","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2257227-d2a20efd5008a8f89fd87282e853a7c0/thumbnail_2892000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6693856/Michigan/Coaches-tell-board-robotics-costs-run-tens-of-thousands-a-year-and-ask-district-and-community-for-help","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6693856-c6ea2ffbf8d5c2e5ac5b2a45867e62d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773593477&Signature=UdmYItqoTOERUmyXWNMPHbsb98xXrla3-RqMW7MSx-Hu4mx95xUWZQMq5kzpcPfD788nY3givI5vwKihSdMsVIxwLrpIDBZzERihnTjcsbwcatbYfNKFYlnlA7qqQLf7WXBP29F929E~~l4IahnHBchUTfYliDpQRkCea8U6rE~2Y1x0yJo-Bm9r~8LcP~rV2Jd7xEWY-Ai1Ez4vYeybw0Q8wqEKdwzs3YozyXMpN9YciBWxWXpU1U6fZhY62hfd0nC9bv~vsm76ioi5NE3A69ErtChcXVI7RZEzL-SAo4Wq9WFmw03knXbj0kkAe8~h83UQjUi6JhA~LMMTayn7Ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Harper Creek Community Schools","date","2025-02-11T07:16:56.017Z","article","Three volunteers who coach and support Harper Creek robotics addressed the board on Feb. 10 to outline program costs, state grant support and community fundraising needs.

Peter Eckman, a high‑school head coach, said high‑school robotics typically costs far more than many school extracurriculars because teams build a new robot each year from raw materials and pay steep participation and event fees. \"The average is about 18 to $26,000 per year,\" Eckman said, adding that a typical competition entry to put a robot \"on the carpet\" can cost about $6,000 and that the Michigan Department of Education grant the program accesses is usually about $6,000–$8,000.

Eckman described a newly formed nonprofit, the Harper Creek Robotics Boosters, to fundraise for teams across the district and said volunteers often cover out‑of‑pocket costs. He asked the board to consider whether the district or community partners could provide additional support so students can reach regional and state competitions; he said the team was about five points short of qualifying for the state championship last season and that travel to a state event would cost roughly $10,000 including lodging and food.

Parent and volunteer Doug Kachman, whose children participate in middle‑school and high‑school robotics, stressed the program's educational benefits and described the competition's collaborative \"gracious professionalism\" model, in which teams form temporary alliances at events and share technical help.

No board action was taken during the meeting. Board members thanked the coaches and volunteers, and several directors noted fundraising and sponsorship outreach as next steps.

Speakers requested that the district and community consider additional funding or partnership avenues; the coaches said they already pursue grants and community donors and have begun seeking corporate sponsorships and local club grants.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Harper Creek Community Schools Board of Education Meeting 2-10-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Harper Creek robotics coaches and parents described program costs—entry fees, hardware and travel—that can total $18,000–$26,000 annually for a high‑school team and asked the board to consider district or community support to sustain competitiveness and access.","taxTitle","Harper Creek Community Schools, School Boards, Michigan","taxId",38774,"location","Michigan","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6693859,"Wattles Park Men's Club reports steady participation, small 2024 deficit and asks community for fundraising help",1172,1040000,2212000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2257227-d2a20efd5008a8f89fd87282e853a7c0&start=1040&end=2212","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2257227-d2a20efd5008a8f89fd87282e853a7c0/thumbnail_1040000.jpg","/articles/6693859/Michigan/Wattles-Park-Mens-Club-reports-steady-participation-small-2024-deficit-and-asks-community-for-fundraising-help","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6693859-b8a76c3ec1961ed34ceba4d24c31a85b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773593477&Signature=Y718vGC2TGx0zPnW9WCRO5To5y57VXWbLVEvGj7Gi0ZpIdIcU3XKIDJ4EntfOkFUXkkjxy8yuefP7e-RqoXME4PQbWlHIqSo0jecdjNvvg~m6YbOk7QtfC2Z1nEfAxkkGjdrzYQxIJ0HpDQ-Fa6FkiCvl6T7y0erxpzfmbwUu33v~FWrox5eDqvrHrGlW4VrFrfwcIYSun89nEiPqgRrBJS-r53S3TuA6gY6Vg1tXb-msbuY5vkAFiZYvSYJv2q96nbUi4JqKxP2JpmpkQ9QIlfM8RyBOAVUkZCpms24jFtkhKGqGTccWWprQVWEpUHEJ615YRz~r1pfK-wOZzSNiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tony Ziebelle, a representative of the Wattles Park Men's Club, told the Harper Creek Board of Education on Feb. 10 that the community sports organization closed 2024 with largely steady participation but a small operating deficit and several maintenance needs.

The club, which runs basketball, volleyball, indoor and outdoor soccer, baseball, softball and T‑ball for children from pre‑K through eighth grade (with some programs open to high school students), reported spring soccer had about 700 signups and roughly 500 participants who completed the session. Volleyball participation is rising, including a new high‑school league; fall soccer showed a slight decline in recent years, Ziebelle said.

\"Spring soccer continues to be our biggest sport,\" Ziebelle said. \"Last year we had 700 sign ups. We ended up having just over 500 participants that finished the sport with us in the spring.\" He also said volleyball will be the club's largest volleyball season in at least 12 years.

Wattles Park ended 2024 in a slight deficit—\"to the tune of a couple thousand dollars,\" Ziebelle said—largely because of higher‑than‑expected maintenance and utility costs and a one‑time expense related to its outdoor concession stand. The club has two full‑time staff (Ziebelle and operations lead Nick Rausch) plus hourly high‑school and college students who assist on busy days.

The club has maintained low participant fees compared with nearby options. Ziebelle said basketball and baseball programs are priced around $90 per season, soccer sessions around $75 and indoor baseball $45; he said baseball and basketball cost more to operate because of officiating and equipment. The Blue Oval Ford factory is the club's basketball title sponsor this season, he said.

Ziebelle described revenue streams beyond registration and concessions: sponsorships, occasional facility rentals and adult leagues. He said the club has begun more active fundraising and secured a title sponsor for basketball, and that it also offers need‑based scholarships—about 5% of players received scholarship aid in the last basketball season.

On facilities, Ziebelle said the indoor building needs a floor refinishing soon and the outdoor baseball fields show age; the club is fundraising for both. He also described recurring operational challenges: cleaning and wear on gym floors during winter, traffic congestion at the Michigan Avenue entrance on busy Saturdays, and liability concerns from people driving golf carts near fields. To reduce parking congestion, staff stagger start times for games so not all matches begin simultaneously.

Ziebelle emphasized the club's relationship with the district: Wattles Park operates on Harper Creek Community Schools property under a longterm arrangement and generally aims to maintain facilities so the school district does not need to provide or pay for routine upkeep. \"We are symbiotic with Harper Creek — we provide value to the school, and the school obviously provides value to us in return,\" he said.

Board members and staff asked clarifying questions about staffing, student employment and pricing; Ziebelle said nearly all hourly high‑school employees are Harper Creek students and that scholarships are available to ensure cost is not a barrier.

Looking ahead, the club plans camps, clinics and additional summer offerings to fill slow calendar periods, expand indoor baseball capacity, pursue more title sponsors, and fundraise for planned maintenance. Ziebelle invited board members and community members to contact him for ideas or support.

The board did not take action on the report. Ziebelle closed by thanking volunteers and naming long‑time contributors.","Wattles Park Men's Club told the Harper Creek Board of Education it finished 2024 with steady participation—about 500 spring soccer finishers—and a small deficit driven by maintenance and utility costs; the club described staffing, sponsorships and plans to expand summer programming while keeping prices low.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6693852,"Harper Creek high school presents open‑lunch data and proposes schedule change to reduce learning gaps",857,2797000,3654000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2257227-d2a20efd5008a8f89fd87282e853a7c0&start=2797&end=3654","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2257227-d2a20efd5008a8f89fd87282e853a7c0/thumbnail_2797000.jpg","/articles/6693852/Michigan/Harper-Creek-high-school-presents-openlunch-data-and-proposes-schedule-change-to-reduce-learning-gaps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6693852-c2b7cd52750ff5da9c76ab4d2ca1544a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773593477&Signature=YVTsoa84-73pyIeMsHwOIVlBPMxu3qvutCej3mZOjYrtbGPo8PjZ863xfnwjWott58HxWchVpADOhSv-NSbihVkxwosXEunsJhz4vhnv0i1XtvNmeHZN3RsVKQcAVsW31vETJURBNLwvtMuyinp-jRezoqDRiMC6f-tDjf4TYQ0he8~hMxKrGxga2AYCNQDUMk-YRVrGjku4m2HVs~V4CJb1iWsaA4FLoSeu3qyMJCu52EfwOUXp2IxfS-PD2~3DpNJCgR3sGvj-rhIDegcUFQf-aw3a838lmm-aFctmoyaMlKeFWF5ouZUaQiQKjKROKoHr5o5NMbC5JG45NM97Ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","High‑school administrators updated the Harper Creek Board of Education on the open‑lunch program and a proposed scheduling change during the Feb. 10 meeting.

The school reported 58 seniors currently use open lunch and that the program operates as a privilege tied to academic and disciplinary eligibility: students must be passing classes, have a signed parent/guardian permission slip and cannot have in‑ or out‑of‑school suspension during the current semester. The school conducts weekly eligibility checks and maintains sign‑out/sign‑in procedures; one student lost the privilege temporarily this year for repeated tardiness returning from lunch.

\"We have 58 seniors currently that have taken advantage of our open lunch,\" the high‑school representative said, adding that 88 juniors have earned the opportunity to gain open lunch after spring break if they meet the eligibility requirements.

On scheduling, the high school outlined work over the past year exploring whether to move from a block schedule to a traditional schedule. Administrators cited three main drivers: gaps in learning created by the block schedule (students can go long stretches without a core course), low standardized test performance in comparison with peer schools, and staffing shortages, including an unfilled science position the district has advertised all year.

The proposed model would shorten class periods to about 56–57 minutes, add a roughly 30‑minute seminar block for grade‑level targeted instruction (SEL, college planning, test preparation) and result in an approximately seven‑hour day. Administrators said a traditional schedule can reduce required staff in some configurations and could help with projected retirements.

\"One of the driving forces for me is the gap in learning that takes place right now in a block schedule,\" the administrator said. \"...You could have English one semester of freshman year and not again until sophomore year, and that compounds.\" The administration described ongoing meetings with staff, counselors and students and said parents and students had provided feedback at public meetings.

Administrators said they are still refining details and would not ask the board to vote on a schedule change immediately; however, they signaled an internal timeline. The district must finalize course scheduling logistics soon and \"we have to schedule by March 3,\" an administrator told the board. If the board later approves a schedule change, the formal approvals would include adjusted graduation requirements and a revised course catalog.

Board members on the personnel committee were asked to meet in March ahead of negotiations; administrators said further communications with families and staff would continue while the plan is finalized. No formal board action was taken that night on the schedule change.","High‑school administrators told the board about the open‑lunch program and outlined a pending proposal to move from a block schedule to a traditional schedule with a 30‑minute seminar; the board heard timeline constraints and next steps but did not vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Coaches tell board robotics costs run tens of thousands a year and ask district and community for help

Wattles Park Men's Club reports steady participation, small 2024 deficit and asks community for fundraising help

Harper Creek high school presents open‑lunch data and proposes schedule change to reduce learning gaps