School Board Removes P.E. Credit for JROTCPaul Hogarthbyline‚ Jun. 27‚ 2008Students can no longer get physical education credit for service in JROTC – after a vote last night at the San Francisco School Board. More than 18 months after the Board voted to phase out the military program from public schools, and under duress of a lawsuit that cited a clear conflict in state law, the action upset cadets in the audience – but satisfied others who say it is long overdue. The Board had deadlocked 3-3 on this action at last week’s meeting, but with Commissioner Jane Kim back in town had the votes last night to get it through. But while progressives celebrated last night’s victory, pro-JROTC forces are gathering signatures for a November proposition – keeping this issue in the spotlight. For progressives to sustain this victory and keep their majority on the School Board, the District must make sure that alternatives to JROTC are available – or else suffer political consequences at the ballot box. |