MUNFORDVILLE, Ky. — Hart County Schools has voted to eliminate its JROTC-related program at Hart County High School.

Superintendent Bo Chenoweth said the program began as a National Defense Cadet Corps unit.

“The Board was asked five years ago to approve creation of a JROTC program at the high school. It actually created an NDCC program (National Defense Cadet Corps),” he said.

Chenoweth said NDCC programs are designed as a starting point before a full JROTC program can be established. They are funded by the school and have one instructor.

To convert an NDCC program into a JROTC program, the school must staff two instructors to operate it. The Department of Defense and Hart County Schools would each cover half of the cost for both instructors prior to the program’s transition to JROTC status, Chenoweth said.

He said the program has not grown enough to justify expansion.

“The enrollment numbers have not grown to necessitate or justify a second instructor during this five year time period,” Chenoweth said.

Hart County Schools also said student interest in the program has declined for the upcoming school year, noting student requests for those courses for the 2026-2027 school year are the smallest of all requested elected courses.

“No incoming freshman have requested these courses as their first elective choice, and only one has requested it as a second elective request,” according to an email from Chenoweth.

The district said the decision was tied to staffing adjustments requested by the school’s Site Based Decision Making Council.

The Hart County Board of Education approved the action at its April meeting.

The change has prompted concern from at least one student who says the program had a lasting impact. An online petition has garnered 556 signatures as of Monday.

“When I first arrived at Hart County High School, I was shy and didn’t talk much,” said Peyton Whitaker. “Joining the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps transformed my high school experience.”

Whitaker said the program helped build confidence and communication skills.

“Through its comprehensive and supportive environment, I've learned invaluable public speaking skills and gained the confidence to interact with almost anyone.”

Whitaker said the decision will affect more than current participants.

“This decision affects not only me but countless other students who have benefited from the discipline, leadership, and camaraderie that JROTC provides.”

Chenoweth said the school system recognizes that impact and said school leaders are working to find options for students in the existing program.

“Principal Greg Cecil is exploring options with neighboring districts to see if there is a possibility of allowing students currently mid-pathway to finish the program in those districts.”

Whitaker's petition calls on the district to reconsider the decision.

“The decision to eliminate a position was driven entirely by budgetary constraints, based on an analysis of overall pathway enrollment and course requests for the upcoming school year,” Chenoweth said.