School districts finding ways to keep recruiters away

Concerned citizens and local elected officials across the country are finding various ways to keep military recruiters off local high school campuses. These efforts are heating up.

While no school districts have publicly banned recruiters outright, some school districts, inlcuding Madison, WI; Tucson, AZ, Whittier, CA; and Castro Valley, CA; have found ways to severely limit their access.

In one recent development, Eyewitness News reports on a New York City councilman's efforts:

For decades, high schools have been a hot bed for military recruiters, but in a move that's growing nationwide, more communities are blocking the military's access to students. New York City's public schools may soon join that list...full story here.

Here's an outline of policies in the 4 school districts:

Madison Metropolitan School District (Madison, WI)

Limits recruiter access to 3 days a year.
Recruitment materials only placed in the Guidance Office
Counselors can provide both information about military service and alternatives to military service

* Source: Recruitment Policy information.

Tucson Unified School District (Tucson, AZ)

Limits recruiter access to once a month.
All materials provided to students must be reviewed by the counseling office
Students must initate the signup to meet with the recruiters
All recruiters must sign-in with the office and wear a visitor's badge
All recruiters will be assigned a location and all recruitment activities must be contained within that designated area
No pictures can be taken of prospective students
No transactions involving money, contests, drawings or lotteries
No testing of students w/out principal's permission

* Source: TUSD Administrative Guidelines.

Whittier Union High School District (near Los Angeles)

Recruiters banned from appearing in classrooms
No Humvees on school grounds
School district is developing a pamphlet for students about how to verify recruiters' claims about financial benefits

* Source: NYT article: Growing Problem for Military Recruiters: Parents.

Castro Valley Unified School District (b/w San Jose & Oakland, CA)

Recruiters only allowed in the Career Center during lunch on scheduled days
Career Center Technician stays with the recruiter while he/she is in the presence of students to monitor the interaction

* Source: Conversation with a school district official via email.

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