TSA to compete in nationals

SUSSEX — Students and parents showed up to last night's High Point BOE meeting demanding an answer as to why the Technology Students Association team wouldn't be able to compete at the national competition this year despite their great success at the state competition.

At the April 16 meeting, the TSA presented their case to the board and were told that security and budget issues were to blame, as reported in the Advertiser News North. Not satisfied, they returned in May seeking more information.

Brian Drelick, teacher and chair of the Department of Technological Studies at High Point, said students had known since October that they would not be attending this year’s nationals. Parents said they were unaware of this and had just recently learned their children wouldn't be attending the competition.

As things became more heated, BOE President Paul Derin called for a 15-minute executive session so the board could resolve the issue behind closed doors. The meeting resulted in student registration for the national competition being paid for as well as up to $800 dollars in expenses being reimbursed to parents after the trip, as long as a parent accompanied each participating student.

This year's TSA national competition is being held in Orlando, FL, from June 28 to July 2.