Hundreds have joined the fight to save a popular high school program in Monroe County, Michigan's Jefferson School District. The Navy Junior Reserves Officer Training Corps, or NJROTC, was one of the programs the school board cut this year because of budget problems, but supporters are hoping voters have a chance to save it.
The cadets and their parents have enlisted the help of a lot of people to get a levy on the ballot this November to save the program. Chief Petty Officer Caitlynn Jones says for the past 17 years the NJROTC has been an important part of the Jefferson School District, and it's changed her life,"This program teaches you to be honorable, be a good leader, to have good morals."
In June, the NYROTC was among a group of programs that were cut because of a 3 million dollar deficit. Jones cried when she heard the news, "Our unit is a family and even if the program is broken up, we are still a family. Even if we have no uniforms, no instructors, no class, we'll always be a family."
Caitlynn's parents are a big part of the push to save the program. Her father Jason says he has worked a lot of hours on the project, "This has been my second full time job. If you have a 15 year old daughter who loves something you will do anything in your power to make it work for her, and its not just me all the parents have been so supportive."
The group collected more than 700 signatures on a petition to get a .6 mill levy on the ballot this November to save the program, but Jones says that can't happen without the approval of the school board, "We are hopefully going to convince the board to give us a simple resolution and it won't cost them a dime to give us the opportunity to get this issue on the ballot. Let people decide if this program is worthy to be funded with their tax dollars."
Superintendent Craig Haugen says like the other programs that were cut, the NJROTC was a vital part of the district, but it all comes down to the bottom line. He's been inspired though by the dedication of those working to save the program ,"We certainly have a group of parents who are passionate about the program and that's what you want. We want parents to be passionate about all our programs."
Other cuts made this year include the elementary music program, teaching positions and weekend athletic transportation. Jones says the levy would cost the average taxpayer about $38 a year.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:34 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:34:48 GMT
13abc and the Red Cross are teaming up for our Road to Recovery Phone Bank to provide information about helping the victims of the Oklahoma tornado and other disasters. Volunteers will be at the station
13abc and Red Cross teamed up for our Road to Recovery Phone Bank Thursday to provide information about helping the victims of the Oklahoma tornado and other disasters.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:03 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:03:13 GMT
A Perrysburg Township packaging plant is closing this summer, affecting 126 employees at the location. We're told an agreement allowing Diamond Crystal Brands to sell Splenda sweetener will expire at
A Perrysburg Township packaging plant is closing this summer, affecting 126 employees at the location.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:02 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:02:06 GMT
The 27-year-old woman who was on the ground staring into the barrel of a shotgun says Toledo police officers saved her life. Valarie Williams tells 13 ABC's Christine Long that it is nothing short of
The 27-year-old woman who was on the ground staring into the barrel of a shotgun says Toledo police officers saved her life. As a man stood over her pointing a shotgun to her face, Valerie Williams says, "It was like an angel came because the cops pulled up."
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:25:21 GMT
Planning is underway for the First Annual African American Male Wellness Walk in Toledo. The walk will be held August 3, 2013 at the African American Legacy Project located at 1326 Collingwood Boulevard.
Planning is underway for the First Annual African American Male Wellness Walk in Toledo. The walk will be held August 3, 2013 at the African American Legacy Project. Go to 13abc.com for details.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:03 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:03:13 GMT
A Perrysburg Township packaging plant is closing this summer, affecting 126 employees at the location. We're told an agreement allowing Diamond Crystal Brands to sell Splenda sweetener will expire at
A Perrysburg Township packaging plant is closing this summer, affecting 126 employees at the location.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:34 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:34:48 GMT
13abc and the Red Cross are teaming up for our Road to Recovery Phone Bank to provide information about helping the victims of the Oklahoma tornado and other disasters. Volunteers will be at the station
13abc and Red Cross teamed up for our Road to Recovery Phone Bank Thursday to provide information about helping the victims of the Oklahoma tornado and other disasters.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:10 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:10:04 GMT
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) - The Washington State Patrol says the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River at Mount Vernon has collapsed, dumping vehicles and people into the water. Trooper Mark Francis
The Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River at Mount Vernon collapsed Thursday evening, dumping vehicles and people into the water, the Washington State Patrol said.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:57 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:57:54 GMT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A proposed constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana and certain uses of hemp has cleared Ohio's ballot board. The panel's approval Thursday sends the issue into its
A proposed constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana and certain uses of hemp has cleared Ohio's ballot board.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:40 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:40:05 GMT
PHOENIX (AP) - The jury in Jodi Arias' trial was dismissed Thursday after failing to reach a unanimous decision on whether the woman they convicted of murdering her one-time boyfriend should be sentenced
The jury in Jodi Arias' trial was dismissed Thursday after failing to reach a unanimous decision on whether the woman they convicted of murdering her one-time boyfriend should be sentenced to life or death in a case that has captured headlines worldwide with its sex, lies, violence.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:38 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:38:38 GMT
(ABC News) -- The Boy Scouts of America today voted to lift its longtime national ban on admitting openly gay Scouts but will continue to exclude openly gay adults from leadership roles. The vote
The Boy Scouts of America today voted to lift its longtime national ban on admitting openly gay Scouts but will continue to exclude openly gay adults from leadership roles.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:02 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:02:06 GMT
The 27-year-old woman who was on the ground staring into the barrel of a shotgun says Toledo police officers saved her life. Valarie Williams tells 13 ABC's Christine Long that it is nothing short of
The 27-year-old woman who was on the ground staring into the barrel of a shotgun says Toledo police officers saved her life. As a man stood over her pointing a shotgun to her face, Valerie Williams says, "It was like an angel came because the cops pulled up."
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:22 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:22:19 GMT
Some families in Maumee were surprised to open their utility bills and find some were ten times the normal amount. Many come from the Wrenworth subdivision and say they've been getting these very high
Some families in Maumee were surprised to open their utility bills and find some were ten times the normal amount. Many come from the Wrenworth subdivision and say they've been getting these very high bills recently and now they're asking why. At least one family did not get an actual meter reading in several months.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:25:21 GMT
Planning is underway for the First Annual African American Male Wellness Walk in Toledo. The walk will be held August 3, 2013 at the African American Legacy Project located at 1326 Collingwood Boulevard.
Planning is underway for the First Annual African American Male Wellness Walk in Toledo. The walk will be held August 3, 2013 at the African American Legacy Project. Go to 13abc.com for details.
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