Wilmot UHS administrators present STAR leadership course, recommend May 22 approval

A proposed STAR leadership course that adapts ROTC-style leadership training into a year-long elective was presented to the Wilmot UHS School District board, and administrators said they will recommend the board approve the new course at the May 22 meeting.

Adam, an administrator who led the presentation, said the program grew from district conversations about Junior ROTC alternatives after a field referendum left insufficient funds for a full JROTC program. He described forming a committee of counselors, teachers and staff to evaluate the STAR leadership option and said it would be coded and run as a DPI-approved elective under ROTC-type programming.

"We already have 17 kids signed up for this course for next year," Adam said, noting the district expects an initial class size in the 15–25 range and could offer the course as a year-long credit-bearing option. He said the course is open to students across grades and that juniors and seniors would be placed into leadership roles while younger students would be taught followership and progression through leadership tiers.

Representatives from the U.S. Army outlined the instructional model. A sergeant first class who spoke to the board said the program uses established ROTC curriculum adapted into a one-day course format combining classroom instruction and hands-on activities, and emphasized the Army instructors’ role as volunteer teachers rather than recruiters.

"We're not here to recruit every single one of the people that are interested," the sergeant said. "My main goal is to help build the next future. It's not my main goal to write a single contract out of this high school. I'm here for them." (Sergeant First Class)

Administrator Adam said the program would include two field trips per year (a hands-on exercises day and a map-reading/land-navigation day) and that the Army would supply instructors from recruiting stations across southeast Wisconsin if the program expands. He also noted the district has discussed partnerships with existing extracurricular groups and coaches to help with supervision and chaperoning for off-site activities.

The administration will formally put the STAR leadership course recommendation on the May 22 consent agenda for board consideration.

Next steps: the board will review the course proposal at its May 22 meeting; if approved, the district plans to pilot the class in the coming school year.