Parents and students urge Port Angeles to preserve NJROTC, restore travel funding for air-rifle team

Several parents, students and volunteer coaches urged the Port Angeles School District board on March 27 to preserve the high school Navy Junior ROTC (NJROTC) program and restore or re-establish funding and staff support for travel and instruction.

Amy Miller told the board her daughter, a junior, had benefited from three years in NJROTC and from competing on the air-rifle team. Miller asked the district to prioritize hiring and supporting a new instructor and to provide Career and Technical Education (CTE) support for travel and expenses. She said the precision air-rifle team finished first in its conference and first in "Area 13" (Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Hawaii and other Pacific units), and finished eighth nationally at a recent national competition in Anniston, Alabama.

Volunteer coach Brent Maggard described the sport's safety record and competitive pathway. He said air rifle is an Olympic and NCAA sport with college scholarship opportunities, and pointed to multiple cadets who have earned collegiate roster spots and scholarships. Maggard said Port Angeles teams previously traveled with some district and Navy support and that volunteer coaches have often staffed travel when district employees were not available.

Parent Megan Maggard, president of the NJROTC parent association, said an email from administration informed parents that the national competition did not fall within typical district guidelines and that no district financial support would be provided for that trip. She asked the board to reconsider the district's position, noting past precedent for district or CTE support of similar trips and that the district website lists air rifle among extracurricular activities associated with the NJROTC program.

Cadet Jasmine Green, a senior, said the program improved her leadership skills, reduced social anxiety and prepared her for potential military service; she urged the board to keep NJROTC available to future cadets. Several parents and volunteers praised the program's community service, discipline and scholarship outcomes.

The board recorded the public comments in the meeting record; there was no formal board action on the NJROTC program during the meeting.

Ending: Board members received letters, public testimony and documentation; parents said they hope district staff and the board will prioritize finding an instructor and restoring travel support or CTE funding for the program.