Burlington Edison High School Plans to End NJROTC Program

Burlington, Washington- Below is a letter from the Burlington Edison High School Principal on the future of The Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Program (NJROTC)  at Burlington Edison High School, dated April 29th, 2016.

Dear Burlington Edison High School Community,

The Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) has been a part of our community for two decades. Morning drills, flag exercises, and students in uniform are a regular occurrence on our campus. Year after year, dozens of students find belonging while learning responsibility, leadership, and accountability. However, it has become clear that we will no longer be able to meet minimum enrollment numbers of 100 students in order to continue this program. This is a significant loss for our school. We are exploring ways to continue to provide ongoing leadership, service and growth opportunities for all our students.

Over the years Burlington-Edison High School (B-EHS) has worked hard to successfully meet the participation thresholds required in order to continue to offer NJROTC. NJROTC at B-EHS is marked with flexible thinking and problem solving. Many years saw sufficient students on the official Navy count day to continue the program, only to have the year-­‐end number low. In other years, less than 100 students were enrolled on count day, thus placing our program on probation. Failure to meet participation minimums two years in a row means a discontinuation of the program.

Last year our program was placed on probation for low student enrollment. This year we barely made the minimum participation numbers at the last minute. Despite our recruitment efforts and promotion of the program, the outlook for next year remains bleak with only 51 students enrolled, including our incoming freshmen. Moreover, neither of the staff members who lead our program will be back next year due to retirement and relocation out of state. The Navy denied our request for additional flexibility in order to rebuild the program with a new NJROTC leadership team. Due to a current low level of student interest, we are forced to accept that the NJROTC program at B-EHS has come to an end. We must now begin to plan for the coming transition.

Students currently in the NJROTC program are our primary concern. They are dedicated leaders and contributors on our campus. We are committed to involving students and considering all ideas as we look for ways for them to continue to contribute to our school.

Your input on these next steps is welcome. Please fill out the comment box below or contact any principal at the high school to provide feedback or ideas.

As disappointed as we all are at the loss of our program, we are also grateful for the service of the educators who have led B-EHS NJROTC. Their investment throughout the years has made a difference in the lives of countless students. At B-EHS we will continue, as we always have, to find ways to invest ourselves into the lives of our students and provide rich, high quality learning experiences and opportunities for future success.

Thank you for your continual support for our students.

Todd S. Setterlund
Principal
Burlington-Edison High School (360-)757-4074 ext. 3502
tsetterlund@be.wednet.edu

 

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