Program scrapped without explanation
HOLLISTER
– Nobody seems to know what is going on with San Benito High
School’s junior Naval ROTC program, but the word that the student
cadets are being given is that the program is gone and that they
need to register for different electives next year.
Program scrapped without explanation
HOLLISTER – Nobody seems to know what is going on with San Benito High School’s junior Naval ROTC program, but the word that the student cadets are being given is that the program is gone and that they need to register for different electives next year.
Representatives from the high school were not available this week to respond to queries about why the program is disappearing, but SBHS Trustee Evelyn Muro said that she heard something about declining enrollment, and because of the fact the Navy was removing the program from the high school’s curriculum. Nearly 100 students are enrolled in the program, which offers physical education credit.
The Navy, through Public Affairs Officer Bruce Moody, issued a statement late last week indicating that “The Navy desires to continue the educational partnership and existing agreement with the school district regarding the San Benito High School NJROTC.
To date the Navy has not received a written request from school district officials to disestablish the NJROTC unit at San Benito High School. Written notification from cognizant school officials (normally at the school superintendent level) expressing their intent to terminate the NJROTC unit at San Benito H.S. is required in accordance with the existing contract between the school district and the Navy before the Navy can/will take any action on this matter.”
Nasarae Johnson, a sophomore, was informed that the ROTC program would not be offered next year two weeks ago, after a student officer called her and told her not to worry about practicing drills this summer, since there would not be a program next year.
Johnson’s mother, Vicky, said that she got a call from another parent telling her that the counseling department had called and informed the family that they needed to sign up for a different elective, since ROTC was not being offered.
Johnson said she still hasn’t heard from her counselor.
The students are still in the dark.
Anthony Johnson, retired military, said that he started calling around and discovered that the ROTC school program didn’t know that the high school wasn’t interested in continuing the program.
He’s tried to set up meetings with SBHS Principal Debbie Padilla and Superintendent Jean Burn Slater, but neither has agreed to meet with Johnson or any of the other parents.
He’s also told both that if they had problems finding someone to coordinate the position – since retired Commander Dean Whetstine, the senior Naval science instructor until this year had not been interested in continuing – he would apply for the position.
But nobody has been willing to talk about the program.
“This is important for the kids, not everybody fits into normal molds. For kids who don’t play sports, or play an instrument, this is something they can do and be proud of. Now these kids are left high and dry,” said Vicky Johnson.
