SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- A long fought battle over JROTC in San Francisco schools ended Tuesday night when the school board voted to restore the controversial program. More than 200 supporters and opponents showed up for a final appeal.
KCBS’ Holly Quan Reports
Under an earlier decision, the 90 year old JROTC program was scheduled to be phased out in less than a month. This was because three years ago the board argued it was a military recruiting program that shouldn't be allowed in public schools. But last night the board voted 4 to 3 to reverse that decision, and keep it as an elective. Michael Wong graduated from Galileo High as a first Lt. in JROTC, and he calls the program military indoctrination.
"The kind of leadership it teaches is classic military leadership," said Wong. "It's intended for war, not for civilian life."
But Susan Ritter, an assistant principal at Balboa High, argued its a valuable course option.
"There's a huge separation between the mission of JROTC and the military," said Ritter. "No one in JROTC is pro-war."
While the program will continue to be offered in city high schools, its still unclear whether it will qualify for physical education credit. The board will take that up over the summer.
(MGO)
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