Judge OKs new space for JROTC

U.S. District Judge D. Price Marshall Jr., has approved Pulaski County Special School District plans to build a new space for the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Mills University Studies High.

School system leaders initially planned to renovate an existing stand-alone building for the JROTC program. The new plan envisions the program space to be part of the Mills High building and includes at least two classrooms, drill space and storage, including a locked space for weapons.

Marshall is the presiding judge in the 40-year-old federal school desegregation lawsuit in which the Pulaski County Special and Jacksonville/North Pulaski school systems are the remaining defendants.

“The district’s plan for improvements at Mills University Studies High School is amended,” Marshall wrote in a brief order.

“A new ROTC facility will be built as specified … and in compliance with Cadet Command Regulation. This is another salutary change,” he said.