Letter to the Editor: Central High JROTC

    Note from Central Speaks: With rumors circulating about the JROTC program at Central High being discontinued, Central Speaks contacted Superintendent Faulk for the details.  He explained that enrollment in the ROTC program has been steadily declining and that it is only partially funded by the government, and issued this statement:
    “As we prepare for next school year I will be evaluating numerous programs being offered by the system and making recommendations to the board.  The state is changing the way some programs are being funded and we have to determine locally where the impact of funding programs will have the greatest benefit for the school system.  There will also be capital outlay projects we will have to consider.”
    Below is a letter written to Superintendent Faulk and the CCSS School Board.  It was sent to Central Speaks as well.

    I am writing you about the Central High School JROTC program. It has come to my attention that you intend to have this program removed from CHS.  The JROTC program that we have at our CHS is an outstanding program that helps our young men and women mature and become our future citizens and/or military.  For some of the students, the JROTC program is there only involvement in the school system.   
    My son graduated from CHS last year; he was part of the JROTC program for four years and was the battalion command leader during his senior year; it was because of the JROTC program that he was able to be a leader and he is currently attending Northwestern State University (La.) on a three year ROTC scholarship.  
    For all of the young men and women involved in the JROTC program; they will become better prepared for their futures as civilians, military or college students when they graduate from CHS and the JROTC program.  
    I hope you do realize the importance and involvement that the JROTC program at CHS has in the school system and our Central City community.  Please let me remind you; the JROTC assist with event parking at school events; they provide the color guard – proudly honoring our nation’s flag before the start of all home football games; leading the Central Community Christmas Parade with the color guard and drill team (this has become a Central tradition), and many other volunteer programs that they do for our communities.
    The JROTC program was part of CHS before the Central Community Schools System existed.  I’m sure you are faced with growing pains for our school system and these can be some very challenging issues for you.  Removing a program that has been in place for many of years would be a setback for our school and community.  I hope and pray that we (as a school and community) are not moving toward all students having to fit into one type of mold for our school.  Our students need a choice of programs to be a part of.  Central became a city so that we could break away from the East Baton Rouge school system, I hope and pray that you are not leading us back to what we got away from.
Thank you,
Douglas J Wills