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Parents and students urge Coronado Unified to expand middle‑school robotics access and CSF funding
Summary
A sixth‑grade student and a parent asked the board to create inclusive, developmental robotics programming at Coronado Middle School and to allocate Coronado Schools Foundation funds for middle‑school robotics so students not chosen for competitive teams can continue learning.
Public comment at the Oct. 9 Coronado Unified board meeting focused on robotics access at Coronado Middle School (CMS). A sixth‑grade student identified himself as Alister and said he applied to the CMS robotics team but was not selected. “I wanted to continue doing robotics because I liked it so much. Sadly, I didn't get picked,” Alister said, and asked whether the district could offer a robotics program at CMS so more students would have access.
Jacqueline Hart, who identified herself as Alister’s stepmother and a STEM professional, told the board that the district lacks a structured pathway for students who are not selected for the competitive team. She asked the district and the Coronado Schools Foundation (CSF) to fund a developmental or inclusive middle‑school robotics track that provides feedback, skills building and practice for students who want to reapply. “Without a developmental track or inclusive programming, we send the message intentionally or not that robotics is reserved for the few and not the many at the middle‑school level,” Hart said.
Student Board Member Cooley later noted CMS’s robotics success and silver BPIS recognition for contributions to robotics education, and expressed support for structures that check in on students and provide inclusive opportunities.
No board action or vote resulted from the comments; the speakers framed their requests as appeals for staff and board consideration. District leaders and board members did not announce immediate funding changes but did hear the request during the public‑comment period.
