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Franklin Area School District highlights business partnerships, robotics and eSports as student pathways
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Gino Thomas described district partnerships that provide job shadows and summer work, and highlighted advanced technology programs—including Ro and Vex robotics and eSports—that he said prepare students for higher education and the workforce.
Dr. Gino Thomas, superintendent of the Franklin Area School District, spotlighted partnerships with local businesses and a technology-forward curriculum he said are preparing students for college and careers.
"One of the items that I think is really important is to showcase ... the partnerships that we have formed within the district with our businesses outside of the schools to give students opportunities to be able to go out in job shadow, to get summer jobs and also to have them in career day," Thomas said. He credited those connections with offering students career exposure and practical experience.
Thomas also described the district's technology programs. "We're being able to give those students the tools through our Ro robotics programs, through our Vex robotics, through our eSports and through utilizing technology as a tool within all of our classrooms," he said, noting staff have embraced the tools to help students prepare for the workforce or higher learning.
The interview framed these programs as district strengths amid fiscal pressure: while administrators plan phased facility work and manage rising costs, Thomas said partnerships and technology investments offer tangible student opportunities.
No formal program expansions, new funding sources or partnership contracts were announced in the interview. The conversation concluded with a brief sign-off directing listeners to pba.org for more information on the state of education report.
