This is a big thread to read for two reasons. First it's sheer size and second by the importance of the topic.
May I suggest a slight wording change to the goal of having an FRC program in every high school? The goal should be to have an FRC program
available to every school. We may be overly influenced by the attractiveness of the school system facilities and the already assembled student bodies when considering team formation. Much has already been said here and elsewhere about the volatility of political support. If some of that dependency on the support of elected or appointed officials were to be lessened, I'm sure the sustainability statistics will improve.
Another factor mentioned is team-to-team mentoring. I cannot expand on it here, but I've been thinking for some time that FRC expansion should be a sort of amoeba-like process. By that I mean a new team should have its earliest development while still able to make use of the resources of an already functioning team. Then split off when the "time" is right. This growth model has been working for our planet for a billion years or so. We may be trying to change the culture of celebrating technical success, but we should take the cue for how to do it from Mother Nature, right? I may start a new thread. . - - After build season.
