[synth3tk]

I think what's trying to be said, is that while FIRST wants to have a team in every school (which is an acceptable goal), that will never happen if they don't make at least an effort to help some of the teams that are in need, since there are teams continually dropping while FIRST focuses on starting new teams. Of course, there may never be a year where no teams leave the program, but you should at least try to retain the ones that can be helped.

On the subject of stubborn school districts, we had to overcome some hurdles to even have a team last season. They even allowed us to continue operating without a school teacher (our engineering mentor runs double-duty). The reason why we're still here? The students. When they caught wind that there would not be a team this year, they bugged the heck out of the school board, pushed to find the residue funding from the year before, and recruited plenty of other students.

If you're having a hard time with the board, see if any of your students are related or close to a board member and can speak to one of the members. Make a short presentation to present the board at the next open meeting. Invite the members to the competitions, outreach, and even the team meetings. Sometimes, it's just a case of ignorance. They see thousands of dollars going out to some club, but may not know what's going on, or why they should continue supporting it.