[JohnBoucher]

What ever you do, stay positive with the school and the school board. It is so very easy for situations like this to go negative and cause long term damage.

You need to show that competing is a positive and learning experience. Have you invited the adminstration to any events? It is so hard to explain the positives if they don't see them in person.

Do you have academic standards that the team members have to maintain to travel with the team? If not implement them. This will show them that you are serious and the team has positive standards. Travel is not a given, it has to be earned.

Is fundraising a consideration? It's not just the additional competition fee, it's the cost of shipping the robot beyond what Fedex donates. You are lucky to be in an area that has lots of regionals, so travel costs are low for you.

Perhaps you want to consider New York City as the second regional. That is a Friday to Sunday event. Only missing one day of school.

Lastly, doing multiple regionals will not ensure doing well at Championship.

Good Luck, Stay positive