Boy Scouts, Military, ROTC Allowed in Schools

Juneau - The Senate today inserted conditional language into the operating budget that ensures that the Boy Scouts, military and federal recruiters, and ROTC programs will continue to have access to public schools in Alaska.

“In other states, school boards have banned some or all of these organizations from access to or use of public school buildings on a variety of philosophical grounds. To my knowledge this has not been an issue in Alaska yet. I believe it has been a topic of discussion at the school board level, but no actions have been taken. This qualifying budget language was in last year’s budget and I believe it was left out inadvertently last year. The amendment was accepted unanimously,” said amendment author Sen. Fred Dyson, R-Eagle River.

Sen. Dyson said he was pleased that the majority coalition recognized the value of this policy position and the widespread support amongst Alaskans for ROTC, the Boy Scouts, and service in the military and various federal law enforcement agencies.

A sound actuality can be downloaded from the following link:
http://www.aksenateminority.com/media/25/dyson2007042001a.mp3