Board accepts $21,000 donation to expand robotics and welding training
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
The board accepted a $21,000 donation from the Intelligent Future Foundation that, when combined with a FANUC in‑kind curriculum match and a Fast Forward (DWD) grant, helped secure roughly $100,000 in state funding for advanced manufacturing equipment and curriculum.
The Mosinee School Board voted to accept a $21,000 donation from the Intelligent Future Foundation to support the district’s technical education projects tied to the Department of Workforce Development’s Fast Forward grant.
Tom, who presented the donation, said the industry partnership lowered the state match requirement and increased overall grant value; he described new equipment purchased by the grant round, including a FANUC material‑handling robot for programming and logic labs, an augmented/virtual reality welding trainer, and a 3‑D scanner for reverse engineering and prototyping. Tom said the $21,000 donation’s value was magnified by the grant mechanics and in‑kind curriculum support, enabling the district to secure approximately $100,000 in state funds with no direct cost to the district.
A motion to accept the donation was made, seconded and carried by the board. Administration said it would send thank‑you letters and implement the equipment as part of the district’s career and technical education programming.
Why it matters: The equipment is intended to give students hands‑on exposure to advanced manufacturing skills and industry tools, which administrators framed as part of career readiness and local workforce development.