[Foster]

So I've run a pretty successful VEX program with ~80-90 roboteers in it for the last three years without a school district supporting me. (And please note, they actually bill me for access to the school to run events)

As easy as that sounds, it isn't so simple.

1. Who would supervise us?
Parents / adult mentors. I've had roboteers act up, but once their parent / adult shows up, the nonsense stops.

2. Where can we get access to a shop?
Garage, empty warehouse space, store front, barn, etc. Find a sponsor!

3. Who would supervise us(again)?
Again, parent/adult mentors. I ask every parent who had a kid in the program "Of the three groups: the district, me and you; who has your son/daughter's best interest at heart." At no time in the last years has a parent answered with someone other than them. Our team is fully staffed with parents and engineers that care about the future of the roboteers and are highly interested in robotics.

4. How would we miss school for competition, as parents don't like unexcused absences.
"Please excuse my son Timmy from school on 1 Apr - 5 Apr 2012, he was at a STEM oriented event with me". They are not going to say no.

5. What if someone gets hurt?
It's called insurance and a waiver. It's why you have a safety captain to keep accidents from happening. It's why early in the season you have a first aid session.

6. What about insurance?
Call your local insurance agent. Fund raise to pay for it.

7. What about storage?
Find a sponsor.

None of this is rocket science. 100's of robotics teams across the US have figured it out. Question is how much do you want to make it happen?

We were locked out of the district 4 years ago during a strike. I said then I would never go back to a school. I teach roboteers that if you don't step up to control your own destiny (learn, work, plan your future, goals, study, etc.) that you are not going to have a happy life.

I support and respect teachers in everything they do. They have limited tools to accomplish some goals. One their tools are strikes and "work to the contract" They do what they have to do, I do what I have to do. Your Plan A was to be at the school. Time to execute Plan B.