As you may have already heard, the Middletown Board of Education voted to approve a proposed budget that includes our NJROTC program. We're all obviously very happy, and to all who helped, thanks. The program would almost certainly not have survived were it not for your many shows of support. We were gratified by the outpouring of support and the many touching comments. The Board and Superintendent noticed and worked to put the program back into the budget. Again, thanks to everyone involved.
Here's the "but,": The budget must still be approved by the voters, and it is based on a large tax increase. This means that next year's NJROTC program is still not a sure thing. Also, despite the strong support of a number of board members, there is a move the program "off budget" after next year by finding alternative funding. This could mean participation fees, donations, a public/private plan that features some sort of sponsorship arrangement, or something else altogether. We can't properly comment on this until the details are proposed and understood, but we have some reservation about any plan that treats NJROTC as anything other than an in-house" program fully sponsored by the District. More about this later.
What can you do? I, personally, cannot, should not, and will not endorse the budget. If you are a vote, please just vote your conscience and encourage your neighbors to do the same. Please also consider the issue when voting for the board member of your choice. Let's all gently remind the Board in the right way and at the right times over the next year that still consider our NJROTC program important and that we're all prepared to fight the battle again next year if need be.
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