[mathking]

The single biggest issue with function as a FIRST team in a school is whether there is a teacher to run at least the administrative side of the team. When you don't have a teacher, or the teacher is not really invested in the program, it can be hard to negotiate the rules and regulations. And if teams are not school based the rules vary greatly about missing school to attend competitions. Also, a teacher is more likely to be able to get time off to take the students to a competition.

I am certainly not opposed to non-school-based teams. That said, I do want to work toward, if not a team in every school at least a team in every district, because teams that are not based in schools can be difficult for some students, particularly economically disadvantaged students, to be a part of. Simple things like transportation to and from meetings can be a problem.

When we get to the point where people expect their to be a robotics team in their school, it will be a priority for the school. Think about football teams and marching bands. The budget for our band is several multiples bigger than our budget for FRC. If the band director resigns looking for a replacement is a big deal. For many school based FRC teams there is a teacher who got the team going. When that teachers leaves, it can be devastating. I want to get FRC to the point that the principal or athletic director just know it is important to get a good person to run the robotics team. I still have a dream of winning an Ohio Capital Conference Robotics Championship before I retire.