Slippery Rock Area School District

Slippery Rock Area School District’s board further discussed options for a possible future Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program in the district Monday night, March 23, after hearing an initial pitch in January when Principal Corey Hake brought it up.

Interest from the community is noticeable. An interest meeting about the program had over 100 high school students in attendance.

“Whenever I saw them in that room, there were so many different kinds of students and I saw difference, but I saw unity,” student board representative Stefon Austin said. “I think this program will not just give us structure and teach our students to be better leaders, they’re also bringing us the unity that we need.”

The possibility of combining with other districts was discussed. It was noted Karns City has expressed interest in sending students interested in JROTC to Butler’s program.

Another option discussed by the board was the National Defense Cadet Corps, which is also a part of the U.S. Army. Hake referred to the program as a bridge to the JROTC program. A National Defense Cadet Corps would have the same benefits of a JROTC program but would be funded through the school rather than by the federal government.

“We’re still trying to figure out where we fit,” Hake said. “With the amount of interest we have, I think it’s good for us to continue pursuing these things.”

The next Slippery Rock Area school board meeting is scheduled April 13.