Parents press board for update on robotics center; resident cites FOIA showing enrollment dip
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Summary
Two public commenters asked the board for clearer communication: one sought a timeline for a robotics center at Fast Ice purchased for $4.1M; another presented FOIA numbers showing MPS enrollment declined by 122 students since last year and asked the board to explain causes.
At the Jan. 20 meeting, public commenters raised concerns about two district issues: the status of a new robotics center and a decline in district enrollment.
Joe Bonnetes told the board that robotics teams he represents have heard little about the status or timeline for the robotics center at Fast Ice, noting the district spent $4.1 million on the building and budgeted an additional $400,000 for upgrades. "After a fire alarm upgrade early on, has anything happened besides a new street sign?" he asked, adding that teams need a clear timeline to plan summer activities and equipment moves.
Renita Banadis said a FOIA response showed Midland Public Schools' enrollment fell from 7,395 last year to 7,273 — a drop of 122 students — and that kindergarten counts declined by 67. She compared that to neighboring districts that showed slight increases and asked whether the district had analyzed the causes. Penny Miller Nelson responded that the district has communicated with robotics teams and said administration would reaffirm that outreach to ensure teams are informed.
Board members acknowledged the questions and asked staff to confirm communications and follow up with the robotics community and to review enrollment trends as part of the district's strategic work.