Douglas ROTC program at parade rest until 2007

One big goal is to have Douglas High School in the Army ROTC program by fall 2007. Two obstacles in the way of that goal are Katrina and lack of funding from the Army.

"We'll be working on the ROTC program this year," Douglas High School Principal Marty Swisher. "We didn't get the approval from the Army so the funding is not there, but we're high up on the list."

Douglas High School opens on Monday, as do both middle schools. Elementary schools open today.

The manufacture and delivery of two portable classrooms was delayed by hurricane Katrina but they should be on site by October.

Previous plans were that the Army ROTC would be at the high school by this fall. Earlier this year, then school superintendent John Soderman said portable classrooms were ordered and that they were poised and ready to build an ROTC facility.

"If you build it, they will come. We're moving ahead as if the funding is available and we'll be ready to go," Soderman said.

As many as 80 students have expressed interest in having an ROTC center at Douglas but there is a backlog of applications and a long waiting list to be accepted into the program.

Money has been put aside to fund at least two portable classrooms at Douglas High School. The cost of the project is included in the Capital Improvement Plan which is funded by motor vehicle privilege taxes and the building and sites fund.

Plan designs have to pass ROTC criteria. A shooting range, where rubber bullets are used, has to be included. The portables at Douglas will also be used for class space and uniform and equipment storage.

Incline High School and Washoe and Carson County high schools have ROTC programs.

Besides military recruitment, the ROTC teaches teamwork skills, leadership and gives students the experience to become fire service and police personnel.

"If we're accepted, we'll be looking for two teachers to run the program," Swisher said.

Swisher said there are other new things on the agenda that make Douglas a well-rounded school.

The recent federal accountability report finding that Douglas High School not only made adequate status but was a high achieving school, proved the whole school showed growth, according to Swisher.

"Compared with the previous year, as a school we gained 7 percent more in language arts and 12 percent more in math," Swisher said. He attributes the teachers' focus on critical content to their success over the previous year.

"We focus on essential skills for students to be successful," he said. "Adequate yearly progress is only one indicator of success - a lot of others indicate we're a fine school."

The school has programs revolving around the completion of an on-site greenhouse.

"The green house will be fully functional and the agricultural science and other science classes will get advantages from it," he said. "The completion of the culinary facility is behind schedule but the program should be going by mid-school year."

For students who want the challenge of college-level courses, the school is working on the addition of more advanced placement classes and the institutional training of the instructors.

Swisher said parents of students or other interested community members may help in the high school accreditation process Douglas participates in this year. Once every five years Douglas is examined by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges.

"All high schools have to be accredited and we'll have three committees to look at information and surveys of the school," he said. "The process involves looking at the school's demographics and history and makes sure we're planning for the future."

Anyone interested in helping on an accreditation committee, contact Douglas High School at 782-5126.