Romeoville High School's MCJROTC: 'Situation will be Remedied by Next Week'

The uncertain future of Romeoville High School's MCJROTC will be remedied by "this time next week," according to Dr. William McHenry, national program director at the training and education command center at Quantico, VA. 

Superintendent James Mitchem has been "very aggressive, very proactive, very forthcoming to ensure the program will continue," McHenry said.

For the MCJROTC program to remain, RHS needs to find a new senior military instructor, following the departure of Major (Ret.) Mark Placey. The school also needs a military instructor. GySgt. (Ret.) Rachele Miller was part of a reduction in force this spring. 

Romeoville High School's MCJROTC program has faced challenges in the past, specifically in adhering to Marine Corps standards. But "priorities have been readjusted to the Marine Corps' satisfaction," McHenry said. "We look forward to a long and continuing relationship with the kids of Romeoville."

The email 

Valley View officials said Monday that an email claiming the Valley View school board had voted to cut the program was a forgery. 

Part of the email read: "Carmen Cole informs me the School Board recently voted to end the JROTC program."

Valley View officials questioned whether Carmen Cole was a name made up by someone trying to "sow the seeds of dissent." 

The email was not a forgery, McHenry said. It was just incorrect. Carmel Cole is a real individual who works for the MCJROTC. 

The inventory 

When one instructor was leaving and another was RIF'ed, MCJROTC officials needed to secure the $250,000 of equipment and uniforms at Romeoville High School. 

On June 4, Placey and Miller packed up the MCJROTC rooms. 

"We weren't going to have any Marines at (Romeoville High School)," McHenry said. "We had to secure it."