The Hutto ISD board of trustees approved starting a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps at Hutto High School during its meeting April 11.
HISD has worked to initiate a JROTC unit for more than two years, but financial issues in the military departments stalled efforts to get any programs off the ground. While Hutto is on a waiting list for funding, it could be years before it receives any.
"For us to start the program with them paying for a portion of it, we had no idea when that could happen," said Emily Grobe. "The option we have is to have a self-funded unit, and then at some point they can come in."
The board considered and approved spending $175,000 to fully fund the program until it can receive additional funds from the military. The money will be spent to hire two instructors and pay for curriculum, supplies, equipment, travel, training and competition. When military funding does become available, it can pay for up to half of the unit's yearly costs.
