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IRON MOUNTAIN -- The Iron Mountain School Board has authorized applying to start a Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps -- JROTC -- program at Iron Mountain.
Superintendent Jerry Sardina said one of the teachers approached him with the idea. The program would be offered as an elective for credits at a future date.
JROTC is a federal program sponsored by the United States Armed Forces. Classes are taught at secondary schools by retired military officers and non-commissioned officers, with half the salary for an instructor paid by military. The military would also provide all equipment and supplies needed for the program. Students participate in drill competitions, physical fitness challenges and community service.
It would be something the district offers that is different from other schools, Sardina said, expanding the district's idea of doing education differently. The program often appeals to students who are not athletes or members of other extracurricular groups, he added. More details about the program will be provided at the next board meeting.
Sardina also told the board the HVAC replacement project at the Izzo-Mariucci Building will be wrapping up soon and come in within budget. Some of funds for the approximately $2 million project came from the Zanardi family trust. The Zanardi family donated $4 million to both Iron Mountain and Breitung Township School Districts.
The district is looking at its next infrastructure projects, including upgrades to the industrial arts building to house, in part, the virtual tech education program. They received a Career and Technical Education, or CTE, expansion grant in June to help create a program.
The district received an infrastructure competitive grant for $3,101,274 from the Michigan Department of Education to help pay for projects at the four district buildings, including HVAC and fire protection and building access and security work involving doors and windows. Zanardi funds may also be available.
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Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 85242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.