I have spent some time speaking with the man who runs the school district JROTC program.  I also visited Lowell and spoke with the man who runs the program on that campus.  I learned what is taught at each of the programs.  

The JROTC teaches our children five periods a week, two of which are PE.  They teach history, how to balance a checkbook, and other self-sufficiency skills.  Some of the content of their textbooks is troubling, although more current editions are less so.  I have been told that the district has not reviewed the courseware for ten years.  In whatever form JROTC continues, if it continues, I feel that a review of the course content should be in order. Perhaps it is time to remove the history and civics component and replace it with more PE.  At best, fully credentialed teachers who specialize in the subject matter could teach these courses. 

The military recruitment issue has two poles.  One end is the recruiter from WestPoint who comes to Lowell looking for the best and the brightest.  The other end is the concern that JROTC personnel would recruit lower income youths, who would then be in an army that could send them to be ground up in a politically unpopular war. I confess that I have different feelings about each end of the pole. I would not want to limit the chances of a Lowell student to some day be head of our Army.  I would feel uncomfortable if I felt our actions contributed to a young person dying overseas.

Now, at the last moment, a new plan, presented by four members of the board of education (two members who are about to leave the board, one incumbent, and one continuing member).  I am sure these four will complain the loudest when Scooter Libby is pardoned along with anyone who ever worked on Wall Street by President Bush as he exits the White House.  Lame duck house cleaning.

This rush to judgment, without due consideration of the “SERV” plan, is not in the best interests of the school district.  This plan may be excellent, and if it is, after careful review, it will be passed, but this should be by the new board. It should not be a meal force fed without ample public review.  Those in favor of and those opposed to JROTC understand that this type of heavy-handed action is exactly what has irked many segments of our parent community. Those in public office who seek our trust should consider this.

A view of JROTC in the SFUSD with Omar Khalif.