JROTC Restored in San Francisco Schools

(San Francisco, California) In 2006, the San Francisco School Board voted to phase out the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) curriculum in its schools because of the military's discrimination against homosexuals. The program was due to end in less than a month.

Last week, the JROTC issue was voted on one last time before its scheduled expiration.

On Tuesday night, students who fought for the program waited for more than five hours to see their three-year lesson in real-life civics end in victory.

The students filled the board chambers to capacity as they crowded into seats, on the floor and along walls, some doing homework while they waited for the vote. Others spilled out into the lobby, where a television broadcast the meeting.

Prior to Tuesday's meeting, four board members said they were prepared to reinstate the program. The four who voted to get rid of JROTC three years ago are no longer in office.

Students cheered when the 4-3 vote was announced, continuing the JROTC program. Good.

Companion post at EdWatch.