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Easton senior warns robotics program may end without more staff support
Summary
A graduating Easton Area High School student told the school board the robotics team faces an uncertain future because of a staffing shortfall and budget pressures; district officials said they will post for staff and explore outside partners.
Ben Victor, a senior at Easton Area High School, told the Easton Area School District Board that the high school's robotics program faces uncertainty unless the district secures more support.
"All we are asking for is additional funding that is less money than it would have cost me in tuition to realize computer science isn't for me while I'm in college," Victor said during the public comment period. He described the team's hands-on opportunities, regional awards and outreach work and said the team helped him win admission to Penn State's mechanical engineering program.
Victor told the board the Robo Rovers (team No. 8117) had won the Team Spirit Award and previously the Creativity Award in Northeast competition and that the group does regular outreach at Palmer STEM night, RoboCon and other community events. He said the program currently depends on a single teacher and warned that without additional staff or funding there may be no team next year.
A district official identified in the meeting as the Superintendent acknowledged Victor's remarks and said manpower, rather than the immediate availability of funds, is the primary problem. "We will be putting a posting out," the Superintendent said, adding the district will seek staff willing to support the program and is also "looking into another couple creative ideas with some partners outside of the district." The Superintendent said the district expects to continue offering robotics but that the program "may or may not look exactly the same."
Victor described concrete student benefits, including trips, industry connections and hands-on skill-building. He said he had opportunities to tour Mack Trucks and attend technical events, and that many incoming freshmen, middle school and elementary students are interested in joining the program.
The district response commits to a districtwide posting to recruit staff to help the current instructor and to pursue outside partnerships if hiring does not fully solve the problem. No formal motion or vote on funding or staffing was recorded during the meeting.
District officials did not specify the amount of any immediate funding request, the exact number of additional staff positions sought, or a timeline for posting and hiring.
The board did congratulate Victor on his forthcoming graduation and Penn State admission and thanked him for his comments.
