[Wendy Holladay]

Based on 10 years of documented success by FRC Team 1912 Combustion (Slidell, LA) students, and motivated by growth in other FIRST robotics programs in the parish, 1912 mentors met last spring with St. Tammany Parish Public School System administrators to propose that high school robotics coaches/teachers receive stipends similar to those for coaches in sports, dance, and cheer.

1912 assembled information for the administration about FIRST, FIRST Robotics Competition, the benefits of FIRST participation for students, and the responsibilities of teacher sponsors, and organized a follow-up meeting with teachers representing 1912 and 3946. 1912 is happy to share this 10 page write up.

At the School Board meeting last night, the board voted to adopt a 2015-2016 budget that includes an increase of $24k for robotics coach stipends. High school robotics coaches will now receive a stipend of approximately $3k per school, comparable to athletic coach stipends. They so deserve it.