Weston robotics speakers urge increased budget, dedicated coordinator and lab staffing

Multiple students, volunteer mentors, alumni and parents urged the Weston Public Schools School Committee to increase operating funds and create stable staffing for the rapidly expanding K–12 robotics program.

Speakers said the program grew far faster than anticipated over the past year, expanding from a few teams to more than a dozen teams across elementary and secondary grades and serving roughly 180 students in competitive programs. They asked the district to provide paid adult coordinators, regular technical instructors, stipends for weekend lab time and a clearer, sustainable annual budget.

Rex, a Weston High School junior and member of the district’s robotics program, described the program’s growth from a small garage team to "one of the largest K-through-12 robotics programs in all of New England," with the high school FTC program among the state’s largest. "We are accommodating more than 180 students across the district with more than 50 parent mentors across 3 different labs," he said.

Volunteer mentor Jessie Chen and student speakers emphasized that many teams were rookie squads this season: field and middle school FIRST LEGO League (FLL) teams grew from four to 17 at one school, with five teams qualifying for states — three of them rookies. "We had to actually turn away some students because we couldn't find enough parent mentors," Chen said, arguing that a dedicated instructor or coach would expand capacity and retention.

Ken Huang, the program head coach and coordinator (contracted part time), said the role requires technical maintenance (3D printers, laser cutters), procurement, transportation, enrollment management and coordination with volunteers. He stated he is contracted for a limited stipend and works additional unpaid hours. "These housekeeping tasks should not fall upon the shoulders of students," Huang said.

Alumni and community speakers tied the program to college and career outcomes. Alex Ko, a Harvard freshman and Weston alumnus, said robotics helped students win college placements and scholarships; Boris Kazinski, a professor, called robotics a gateway to high-demand careers in engineering and manufacturing.

Parents and mentors outlined budget specifics and requests: increase instructors' stipends consistent with other extracurricular rates; fund multiple instructional stipends to cover three labs and weekend hours; provide recurring funds for registration, parts and travel; and create a salaried or part-time district employee to ensure continuity. Jerry Bumbert estimated an illustrative budget need (presented verbally at the meeting) to support broad participation, and speakers said community donors had provided one-time grants that do not cover recurring staffing and instruction.

Committee members did not take a formal vote on funding at the hearing; the robotics requests will be considered as part of the FY26 budget process.