Dear East Valley Community,
On April 26th, 2024, East Valley High School Principal, Ryan McDaniel, communicated with current JROTC students (and their parents), that the JROTC program was being suspended for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. This decision was made jointly between district and building administrators due to low enrollment rates and no qualified applicants for the position that was being left vacant by the retirement of one of the JROTC teachers. Over the last several days, the District has been made aware of social media posts from concerned citizens regarding the decision to suspend the program, some of which seem to be based on misinformation. In an effort to provide accurate information, please see the information below that addresses the questions that we have been made aware of and explains the reasons behind the suspension of the program.
JROTC Current Enrollment Status:
Since 2016, the East Valley JROTC program has seen its enrollment numbers drop from approximately 180 students, down to 43 students*. The decline has occurred despite the increase of overall enrollment at EVHS from 886 students to 1100.
*EVHS opened class registration for the 2024-2025 school year from March 12th through March 29th. By the end of registration, 43 students (current 8th-11th grade) had registered for JROTC for the 2024-2025 school year.
Enrollment Requirements:
Per Mark A. Pratt, GS Chief, JROTC Operations, 8th Brigade, USACC., in order for the JROTC program to remain in good standing with the US Army, “the minimum enrollment requirement is 10% of the High School enrollment.” With 2023-2024 student participation approximately 5% of EVHS enrollment, the US Army placed the EV JROTC program on probation.
JROTC Teacher Retirement:
One of the JROTC teachers is retiring at the end of this school year. The District posted the open position in December of 2023 and closed it on April 15th, with no qualified candidates. The Army requires the JROTC program to have (2) qualified instructors.
Note: Our JROTC staffing has stayed the same despite the significant decrease in student enrollment within the program. If the program was offered next year, the average JROTC class size would be about 5 students. A typical general education class size is around 25 students.
JROTC Teacher Minimum Qualifications:
- Retired military officer or non-commissioned officer (NCO)
- Baccalaureate degree for officers
- Certified as a JROTC instructor through Army Cadet Command
- CTE Certification or ability to earn CTE Certification within two years of employment
- Prior teaching experience preferred
JROTC Program Funding:
We have seen concerns posted via social media that EVHS's candidacy for the International Baccalaureate (IB) program may have impacted funding for JROTC. JROTC is funded through a combination of basic education funds from the State, Career and Technical Education (CTE) funds, ASB funds, levy funds, and supplemented by the US military. The authorization process for the IB program has utilized grant money awarded to the East Valley School District to fund professional development and associated costs of implementing IB. The decision to implement IB at EVHS has in no way impacted JROTC funding, nor the decision to suspend the program.
Student Voice:
While ending any program is difficult, it is allowing us to reallocate certificated staffing to better accommodate the evolving interests and career objectives of our student body. Over the past couple years, student voice has changed our course offerings, including:
- Doubling our Agriculture Department;
- Quadrupling our Computer Science Offerings;
- Reestablishing our work-based learning opportunities;
- Adding a Theatre and Stagecraft Department; and
- Increasing the sections of Sports Medicine, to name a few.
Unfortunately, the JROTC program is not the first program to be discontinued at EVHS due to change of student interest or the lack of job applicants. Previously discontinued programs include:
- Robotics (unable to fill position due to lack of qualified applicants)
- Woodshop (unable to fill position due to lack of qualified applicants)
- German (decrease in student enrollment)
The District encourages anyone with additional questions regarding the JROTC program to contact Superintendent, Russ Hill, or EVHS Principal, Ryan McDaniel.
Contact Information:
Superintendent, Russ Hill
(509) 573-7320
EVHS Principal, Ryan McDaniel
(509) 573-7420