Overton BOE To Consider JROTC Application Next Month

The Overton County School System has met the criteria to apply for a JROTC program.

At least 10 percent of the student base needed to say they would participate.  School Board Chair Mike Hayes said 130 students expressed interest, meeting the requirement.

“Once we get approved, we have to maintain the 100 students or 10 percent year after year or the program would be pulled,” Hayes said. “If it is approved, the district would be put on a waiting list. There could be openings right now. There could be 50 school waiting list. We don’t know that until we do an application.”

Board members will consider approving the application during November’s meeting. The system had a total of 436 students that responded to the survey gauging interest. Hayes said the students ranged from 7th to 12th grades.

“Dr. Donnie Holman had Leslie Riddle to kind of lead this up,” Hayes said. “She did a great job. I think Brent Thrasher helped out with the survey. They surveyed everybody from 7th grade to 12th grade. That way it kind of gives us the upcoming kids that are going to be in high school in the next couple of years.”

Hayes said the program requires the school system to hire a retired officer and a retired non-commission officer. Hayes said financially, the district would only be responsible for half of the two position’s salaries.

“The classroom size we have to have that available,” Hayes said. “We’ll have to figure out the details as we go.”