Posted on 03/16/2006 4:39:50 AM PST by A.A. Cunningham
Boulder School District Limits Military Recruiting
(AP) BOULDER, Colo. Boulder Valley School District has voted to limit the number of military recruiter visits on high school campuses, but rejected a call to ban all military recruiting.
To comply with a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision, the school district will impose similar restrictions on private corporations and colleges. Otherwise it could have risked losing federal funding.
District spokesman Briggs Gamblin said under the new policy approved Tuesday night, each branch of the military will be allowed two visits to each high school in the district. An individual student who wants to consult with a recruiter would be allowed to invite the recruiter to the campus for a private meeting.
"We don't believe it bashes the military. It really does try to be balanced," said Gamblin. He noted it would allow a total of 10 visits to each high school each year.
Under the new policy, students registering in the district will be given forms allowing them to withhold their personal information from the Pentagon, an option at other districts, including Denver Public Schools.
Recruiters for any organization will only be allowed to give printed materials to potential recruits.
Debbie Cannon, spokeswoman for the U.S. Army recruiting command, said they have had much success in Boulder.
"The two visits per year is less than before, but all we ask is equal, fair treatment and the opportunity to tell young adults, parents, relatives and educators about the Army's opportunities," she said.
Under the new policy, the military will not be allowed to bring flight simulators, Humvees, climbing walls or helicopters to schools to promote recruiting.
The school student handbook will warn that the military's "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy regarding gays and lesbians is in conflict with the district's anti-discrimination policy.
Janet Roberts, who has a son who is a freshman in Boulder High School, supported the limits. She said her group, Sign Up, should be able to send their own people to counter the military recruiters because enlistees do not always get what they're promised.
"Kids are being hustled in a way they have never been before," she said.
The district has refused.
© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
Pare down the Federal funding to this school district by the ratio of the 2 days (that the recuiters are allowed) divided by the number of school days in the school year.
That ought to get their attention.
These Boulder people should not be in charge of children in this country.
Back in the early sixies my school didn't allow recruiters from a very liberal state. One day I skipped school to play pool and ended up playing the Air Force recruiter. Not only did he "wax" me in pool but he mapped out a 30 year career for me, no thanks to the liberal teachers who are suppose to introduce all types of careers to students...
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