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District halts standalone JROTC start after two years of low signup; students will be referred to nearby programs

3109083 · April 14, 2025

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Summary

After two years of recruitment and support from county funding, the district reported only three students had enrolled in JROTC for the coming year and said it will not launch a standalone program; leaders will coordinate alternatives and return any earmarked county funds if necessary.

Brighton Area Schools staff told the board they would not start a standalone Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program this year after two years of recruitment yielded insufficient student enrollment.

Administration said it spent two school years recruiting, coordinating with military partners and lining up instruction and space, but enrollment remained low. "We had a requirement of having at least 10 students. And we have we have 3," Superintendent Dr. David Outlaw said of the program-threshold requirement described in a prior board resolution.

The county had allocated $150,000 in start-up funds for the program; administrators told trustees that, with only three students (many upperclassmen), the program could not deliver the course experience or community the program’s backers intended and that using substantial taxpayer funds for so few participants would be fiscally imprudent.

Board members thanked staff and volunteers for the recruiting effort and said the district should continue to offer interested students alternatives, including consortium arrangements with neighboring schools that run JROTC classes. Trustees directed administration to coordinate with the county about the award and next steps; administration said it would follow up with commissioners and report back to the board if formal action about the funds is required.

Ending: The board did not vote to launch a JROTC program; the discussion concluded with direction for staff to work with county partners and area programs so students who want JROTC instruction can access it elsewhere.