High school students aren’t always certain that a career in the military is right for them, and many face the decision without much thought or consideration.

But, a new class that will be implemented in 2010 will give high school students the option of training as military cadets at school and could lead to a career choice in the future.

The county school board approved the Junior ROTC program for Sonoraville High School at the monthly board of education meeting that was held inside of the Ashworth Middle School lunchroom Dec. 14.

Gordon County Schools Superintendent Bill McCown explained to board members that the Army Junior ROTC program would include the cost of uniforms, but it wouldn’t cover the cost of hiring two teachers for the class, a commissioned and a noncommissioned officer, at Sonoraville High School.

McCown estimated the cost of one teacher would be around $85,000.

After a brief discussion, the board members unanimously approved the Junior ROTC program.

“Two years ago we applied for the program at Gordon Central and Sonoraville, and only one was approved,” McCown said, in an interview. “We don’t know why they chose one over the other.”

The board will explore options for the GCHS students.

The Junior ROTC program will begin in January 2010.

The board also approved the removal of several sentences and words in its policy for the length of the school year and the administrative procedures to be followed by the personnel department in the employment of certified employees.

“We eliminated verbage,” McCown stated.

In other news, the school board approved a 2010 school year calendar .

They opted against another option in which the board meetings would be held at several different locations, as they were during the 2009 school year.

The calendar the board chose specified the central office as a permanent meeting location, with the exception of called board meetings and a meeting in the spring that includes an awards ceremony for students.

“Meeting at the central office cuts costs,” said board member William Tyner.

He added that one location would also help with organization.

“Sometimes we had questions and we couldn’t answer them because they’d (the necessary materials) be at the central office,” Tyner said.

The next county board of education meeting will be held at the Central office on Jan. 11 at 7 p.m.

Also during the Dec. 14 meeting the County BOE:

- Financial director Gail Farriba shared a report on the special purpose, local option sales tax with board members. The SPLOST audit was conducted by Serotta Madison Evans contractors in October, and the County BOE were informed they passed the inspection on Dec. 1. According to Farriba, the SPLOST Company verified their spending by looking at the accounting records at the central office, internal controls and matched the Sonoraville Elementary School blueprints with the current architecture design.

- Announced a board retreat on Jan. 22.

- Began discussing cell phone coverage. The Sonoraville schools: elementary, middle and high school are having trouble with reception coverage with the current provider AT&T. Tolbert is also having the same problem. The board will continue discussing options, including another cell phone provider, land lines, etc.