Sandpoint High cadets describe new JROTC program, seek district funding

Sandpoint High School principal Jackie Cross introduced the school’s new JROTC program and a delegation of cadets at the Lake Pend Oreille School District board meeting. "We are presenting our JROTC program, which is our new program," Cross said, noting the corps has been active since the start of the school year and includes roughly 63 cadets.

Cadets and instructors outlined the program’s mission—"to shape the next generation into confident, responsible citizens"—and described planned activities including color-guard presentations, drill competitions, Raiders (physical-endurance events) and air-rifle marksmanship. One cadet said the program supports academic engagement by offering a dedicated class period on Wednesdays for catching up on work and by incentivizing attendance: "It promotes attendance by incentivizing us to get all of our scores done, get grades above 75%..." Principal Cross and instructors also asked the board to consider district funding to lower uniform and equipment costs and to enable travel to competitions, saying the investment would expand participation and competitive teams.

Board members asked clarifying questions about uniform policy and which events cadets would attend. The cadets explained beret-use protocols (worn outdoors and by the color guard during presentation) and described Raiders as obstacle-course and endurance competitions. The presentation concluded with trustees thanking the cadets and taking a group photo; Cross also noted a forthcoming CTE proposal from Alex Gray that the district plans to submit.