JROTC

I attended a meeting two nights ago at the SF School Board. The point of my presence was to lend support to those who oppose a resolution that would grant JROTC another year of existence. Last year, the SF School Board voted to end JROTC programs at all San Francisco high schools, effective at the end of this year. They voted to end it, because they believed it is a recruitment tool for the military. Also, as it is tied to the military, which the SF School Board termed a "homophobic organization", they wanted it out of schools. Those who want to keep it claim that it is about community building and discipline. Therefore, included in the resolution to end it was the recommendation for a new JROTC-like program, sans militarism.

Tuesday night's meeting was supposed to be dedicated to a vote on a resolution that would extend JROTC for one extra year, but close it at 2 of the 7 high schools (presumably those with the lowest enrollment), block freshman enrollment, and disallow the use of JROTC for PE credit (as many of the JROTC instructors don't even hold a teaching certificate (let alone a PE-teaching certificate)). This would allow for more time to come up with a new program, which detractors argue, has not been done. Upon arrival, there were about 400 students and several parents completely filling the room. I stood at the back with my friend Melissa. The nuts from Berkeley (you know, the older women who wear corduroys and don't wash their hair, etc.) were out in full force to scream about the war in Iraq and detract from real concerns. The only speaker with a brain from either side was a father of an 11-year old who railed against the militarism and the wasted tax money. He made the point that it was unfair to his son to lack a sufficient after-school program because he doesn't want to be trained to fight in a war. He spoke about the lack of teaching credentials. He directly quoted, from the Department of Defense, statements on recruitment intentions.

It didn't matter. Before the meeting even started, the School Board announced that the resolution was off the table and they were unsure if they would bring it again. Therefore, as it stands, JROTC is done in SF. Health care for all, military out of schools, plastic bags out of our city, further development of public transportation. For all of our faults, San Francisco values should be a beacon to the nation.