By Andra Bryan Stefanoni
news@joplinglobe.com
PITTSBURG, Kan. — Whether to apply to implement a Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps in 2011 was the subject of lengthy discussion at the Pittsburg Board of Education meeting this past week.
It’s a discussion that couldn’t have taken place in years past, as historically high schools can implement a new program only when an existing program at another school folds.
The waiting list is lengthy, with 240 schools currently on it.
But changes are coming. JROTC will add 43 schools in 2010 and 43 more in 2011 without others first folding, and those selected from the waiting list no longer will be in first-come, first-serve order. Rather, schools will be chosen in accordance to whether a geographic region is under-served.
While the Southern states are classified as over-served, Kansas falls into the under-served, according to Lt. Col. Don Stoner, who with Capts. Drew Polen and George Johnson provided information to the board.
“Kansas has a third of the programs we should have, so as schools in Kansas apply, they will go to the top of the list,” Stoner said.
At the core of the program, based in Fort Monroe, Va., is a focus on citizenship, American history and government, wellness and safety, and an emphasis on service and personal responsibility. It was established after passage of the National Defense Act of 1916.
Instructors are active-duty Army retirees, and the program is conducted in the form of a for-credit class with occasional after-school drill practice for competition.
“It teaches young people to be better citizens,” Stoner told the board. “It’s not a recruiting tool in terms of a way for me to go into high school, but there is a propensity for those in it to go on and serve.”
Cost would be split between the district and the military, with the latter providing uniforms, computers and one-third of the salaries of two instructors. The district would cover two-thirds of the salaries — an amount Stoner said would total approximately $4,250 per month.
He said the salaries are less than that of a starting teacher, but instructors for the program typically bring many years of career experience, service and leadership.
Some school-board members expressed concern about paying any new salaries in the face of the current budget challenges. Several noted that some current positions have not been filled after retirements or resignations.
Board member Todd Biggs spoke in support of the program, saying that he doesn’t know of any demographic group that wouldn’t benefit.
“I’m not sure what the downside would be,” Biggs said. “Our strategic plan calls for leadership, citizenship skills, and this is the program that can help us with that.”
But Ann Elliott said there were 36 other programs in the district that helped students achieve similar objectives, and before agreeing to it would like to assess student interest.
Stoner said Junior ROTC programs have been in place at Joplin and Webb City for decades, and have had great success. In Kansas, programs are in place at Wichita, Salina, Topeka and Leavenworth, where 279 students are enrolled this year.
Stoner said the Pittsburg community would be an ideal place to start a program because of the resources available through the National Guard Reserves unit and the ROTC unit and armory at Pittsburg State University, as well as the support the community has shown to those serving in the military.
Not all student graduates from the program enter the military, nor are they encouraged to. Typically, about one-third of the graduates of most Junior ROTC programs go on to a military career, about one-third enter the work force, and about one-third go on to higher education.
“Those exposed (to it) enter the community as civic leaders and make better decisions about our armed forces,” Stoner said.
In November, Stoner met with Pittsburg High School Principal Donna Zerr, who said that she would like to assess student interest. Board Chairwoman Dawn McNay she’d like to see current middle-school students and their parents assessed, because those students will be the group eligible to participate if the program were to be implemented in 2011.
The board agreed to submit an application for consideration on the advice of Stoner that, should the district be selected, it can choose to withdraw if desired.
“There will be another district on the waiting list more than happy to take your place,” he said.
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