Parents, students and mentors urge board to preserve dedicated robotics workshop

Several parents, students and mentors told the Bellevue School District board on April 2 that the Saints Robotics program needs a dedicated, on-campus workshop rather than the proposed shared space in an Interlake renovation plan.

Tamara Pesek, a parent, said students asked parents to speak after the district-led renovation plan proposed placing robotics in a shared area. She described robotics as a program that uses CNC equipment, laser cutters and other industrial tools and said the program's schedule (two days per week in the off season and nearly every day during competition season) and safety protocols require a dedicated space.

Parent and mentor Arjuna Nagar added that teams build full-scale robots weighing about 150 pounds during build season and need consistent mentor access, stable work hours and a place to assemble and test safely. "A shared and limited access space would make it harder for mentors to consistently support students when they need it most," he said, asking the board to support retaining the current workshop or identifying an alternate location that meets the program's needs.

Speakers asked the board for a public, vocal endorsement that principals and architects should consider when finalizing the renovation. The presenters said the students themselves had come to meetings to make the case and asked the board to back those requests. Board members did not take formal action during the meeting; presenters were told facilities planning remains with principals and architects but that the board could weigh in as community partners.

The board did not vote on facilities at the April 2 meeting; parents said they would continue to pursue district support ahead of the renovation decisions.