cisco said:
In my Freshmen year, Six seniors were accepted to West Point from my school; it made the news and I couldn't believe it. (I didn't know them, wish I did though).
I am sure it was, and obviously it has to be repeated. I am not sure how big your school is (class size), but my point was 20 at my kids HS where they have about 20% less in the AFJROTC would equate to 7% of the entire hs graduating class going to an SA. That would be huge, and even a higher percentage for JROTC selection rate.
Flieger said:
The USAF has directed the folks at Maxwell AFB (HQ for the AF JrROTC program) to inform ALL school districts across the country that "if they want to" close some of their programs, consolidate, etc., that the USAF will not stand in their way.
This is the polite way of saying "the AF has a budget problem and we're looking for ways to save money. While we LOVE the JrROTC program, if you don't, we're okay with you closing units at your schools."
It would make sense from a budgetary issue because the AF would have to supply uniforms and instructional materials. Multiply that across the nation and you are talking a small chunk of change.
Before I get jumped or flamed, I understand it is a small amount, but AF has a checkbook that must be balanced, just like us mere mortals. It is all about the dollars and cents. Just as it is for the school districts when they decide to cut it or keep it. It isn't them not seeing the value in the program, it is about other programs are more valuable to maintain when they have to choose between keeping one and cutting another.
This is the perfect storm for JROTC
patentesq said:
When I was in high school in New Jersey, I urged the school district to adopt a JROTC program. The school district ended up rejecting my request due to financial constraints.
LMAO. I am a Jersey girl, and Jersey is one of the highest RE tax states, so it is funny to read financial constraints, BUT I also know that is a liberal state, c'mon can you remember the last time it carried a Republican for President? I have a funky feeling it was that more than financial constraints. Plus, NJ has been since you and I were in HS one of the top states to live in academically. My bet they saw JROTC as less important than having a photography class, where the students had a dark room (another classroom) or film study where the classroom was an actual movie theater auditorium (sat about 60 kids...not including the school auditorium that sat 2500) or tennis courts, etc. etc. etc. Our HS had all of that plus sound stages for AV, band, chorus, etc. We did not have JROTC, even though Ft.Monmouth, Earle, Dix and MacGuire were 30 miles away. It was all about what the folks wanted for their kids and those things were the bells and whistles that other schools didn't have which upped the price of homes in the town.
To illustrate how high NJ taxes are for those not from this area, my Mom lives in an adult community, 1500 sqft home (350K assessed) and pays over 7K a yr in RE taxes. Key word here an adult community (55 and over). 1500 homes are paying and part of that goes to the schools, which none of the homeowners reap any direct benefit. The school in her area will probably be able to keep JROTC, because 55+ are not foreclosing, and not placing more wear on the schools from having children attending.
Bullet's parents live 30 miles from my Mom, and are paying 10K on 250K, in an adult community too.
That should tell you all how much they place into the schools.