Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps leader reacts to San Francisco School Board decision

By Lara Moscrip, Bay City News Service

November 15, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - The director of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps for San Francisco public schools questioned the school board's Tuesday night resolution to phase out the program over the next two years.

"The parents support us, student government support us, all seven principals support us, alumni associations support us. If they all support us, then who is the school board representing?'' Lt. Col. Robert L. Powell Jr. asked today.

Powell has been involved in JROTC at San Francisco schools for 22 years and acts as the main instructor of the program at Lincoln High School.

According to Powell, the school board's decision to phase out the leadership program comes without any alternative program or programs in place.

"They don't have an alternative. Everybody said that we like what you produce, we like the way that you give the kids leadership, but we just don't like the military portion,'' Powell said.

According to a spokeswoman for the school board, the board voted 4-2 to pass the resolution phasing out the JROTC. Board members Mark Sanchez, Sarah Lipson, Dan Kelly and Eric Mar reportedly voted to pass the resolution, with Norman Yee and Jill Wynns voting against it. Board member Eddie Chin was not present to cast a vote.

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