[STreese]

It sounds like you have gotten some good advice from the other posters. It seems like schools are usually lukewarm supporters of the robotics teams generally; but I have been fortunate to be associated with teams that were able to develop reasonable support. The main things I've seen that seemed to make a difference:

(1) Having the booster club as a 501(c)3 entity enables some flexibility. Many (maybe most) teams build out of garages and other non-school sites. The separate booster club enables you to have some independence. Some companies will only donate to the school. Still, there are several successful non-school teams that I know about - sponsored by Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and home-schoolers.

(2) If you can get the principal and other school administrators to come to a competition, that almost always turns their attitude around. In your case, it sounds like you may need to get to the real issue. Maybe it can be overcome easily, if you know what it is. It is better if you can work with the school, however. I'd also say don't be perceived as a financial burden on the school.

(3) You can get the community on your side and get some PR for the school with some outreach activities. We do a lot of demos at companies, elementary schools, and shopping areas - featuring the school prominantly. (It also helps to win a few trophies - there are plenty of categories.)

Persuation and demonstration seem to work better than confrontation on these things.