MSD Martinsville recognizes robotics teams after nearly $96,000 state grant; volunteers logged hundreds of hours

At the meeting, district co-coordinators recognized robotics teams and coaches from across MSD Martinsville and announced a state robotics grant of about $96,000 that will support the program.

Sharon Gooden (district co-coordinator) told trustees the grant — "almost $96,000," as she corrected herself during remarks — will support robotics programming. She said volunteers contributed nearly 400 hours to the program this year and praised coaches and students for representing the district, including at the Lucas Oil Stadium event. "So that's huge — a huge amount of money," she said, thanking the volunteers and staff who helped secure and administer the grant.

A teacher who spoke later described a reading engagement program and said the district’s library received a Legacy Literacy grant to buy books and materials; the board approved acceptance of that grant and several other state and federal grants on the consent agenda. The board also accepted donations including a Becky Fund family gift of $2,129 and a roughly $2,100 donation from South Central RMC to support a lunch-buddy program.

The recognitions and grant approvals were taken as part of the regular agenda and consent approvals; trustees voted to accept the grants and donations by voice vote.

What happens next: district staff will implement the robotics grant program, track volunteer contributions, and report back on program expenditures and student participation.