Bastrop ISD Board Approves New NJROTC Memorandum of Agreement with U.S. Navy

The Bastrop Independent School District Board of Trustees voted to approve a new memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the United States Navy to establish and continue the NJROTC program at Bastrop High School.

Commander David Ellis, the district’s NJROTC instructor, told trustees the new MOA reflects Title 10 changes and includes updated parental consent forms, clarified dual reporting lines for instructors, periodic background checks and a one‑day reporting requirement to the Navy for disciplinary actions. "I m a BISD employee. I'm not a Navy employee," Ellis said while explaining the dual chain of command; he added that the Navy provides uniforms, equipment and contributes about half of the minimum instructor pay under the agreement.

The MOA requires a minimum of 100 cadets by Oct. 1 each year and asks the district to continue providing facilities, administrative support and drill areas. Ellis described the program as a leadership and community-service opportunity and noted recent accomplishments, including local competition trophies and cadet community service hours. He asked the board to "sign the MOA" and continue supporting the cadets and instructors.

After questions about recruitment and program capacity, a motion to approve the memorandum was made, seconded and approved by the board. The public transcript records board members saying "Aye" and the motion carrying; no roll-call tally with member names was recorded in the open meeting minutes.

The board’s approval formalizes the district’s relationship with the Navy for NJROTC operations going forward and incorporates the Navy’s newer compliance and child‑safety procedures into the district program.