West York students, parents urge district to save JROTC as board cites instructor, contract barriers

Maddox Price, a West York Area School District sophomore and NJROTC cadet, told the school board the program has been transformational for him and his peers and said he must “return” his uniform at the end of the school year because “the NJROTC program is being discontinued.”

The board and administration said they do not currently have both a certified instructor and an agreement with the teachers’ association that would allow the district to pay the market rate required to hire one. President Rice described those two obstacles as the reasons the district cannot guarantee the program next year but said the district wants to restore it if the barriers can be cleared.

Why it matters: Students and parents argued the program supports leadership development, improves attendance and discipline, and can help with college and service academy applications. District leaders said the program is desirable but financially and contractually constrained.

What speakers said

“My instructor… has been dedicated to this program and the students in it,” student Maddox Price said, urging the board to keep the program in West York. “JROTC prepares students for future success in education, careers, and life.”

A parent who identified herself as the cadet’s mother told the board NJROTC gave her son “confidence, increased physical ability, a sense of self esteem, and he has gained a network of peers that truly have his back.” She asked the district to pursue reciprocity with other county schools and other program options for the more than 30 affected students.

Board explanation and next steps

President Rice told the room the district started the program in 2021-22 and has tried to staff it but lost an original instructor because the district could not match the competitive salary. He said a subsequent instructor held temporary certification and that temporary approval expires in July. Rice said: “Those are the 2 factors that we need to sustain this program. Finding a person and having an MOU that allows us to pay them the market rate.”

Rice added the district will pursue interim approaches, including working with nearby programs so students can continue in NJROTC while the district seeks a certified instructor and completes a negotiated MOU. He also noted the program is eligible for federal reimbursements only after participation reaches a certain threshold, and West York has not yet reached that level.

Responses from board and union

Board members thanked students and families who spoke and reiterated the district’s intent to pursue solutions if and when a certified instructor who can be hired under an agreed MOU is available. A board member noted a grievance tied to an earlier offer and said the association has not yet approved an MOU that would allow pay at market rate.

No formal vote on continuing or discontinuing NJROTC was recorded at the meeting. District staff said the program will not be staffed in the fall unless both a certified instructor and an executed MOU are in place; otherwise, staff will seek temporary placements or reciprocity agreements for affected students.

Ending note

Parents and cadets left the meeting urging expedited action; the board asked administration to continue recruiting and to pursue reciprocal arrangements with neighboring schools while negotiations with the association continue.