JROTC instructors at Md. high school removed following reported student drug use during field trip

WALDORF, Md. - A group of Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) students in Charles County are in hot water after they reportedly got drunk and high on an out-of-state field trip. Some of the chaperones also took part in happy hour at the hotel bar, school officials said.

The trip involving the students and staff at Westlake High School in Waldorf took place during the last weekend in April.

Tanya Washington said her child was on this trip to Philadelphia and New York that reportedly included alcohol, drugs and sex. She said her child was one of eight students who did not participate and was asked to give an account of what happened during the trip.

"It was about 40 [or] maybe 50 kids that went on the trip, and the commander and also the chief of the school at Westlake High School, they participated in sexual activities, alcohol and there was a federal resource officer that was actually witnessed or allegedly had her top off and that was the lady that also had the gun," said Washington. "So they were supposed to do some things with the chaperone. She was a chaperone for her daughter."

Two letters have been home to parents since the trip. In the first letter dated on April 30, Westlake principal Michael Meiser wrote:

"Dear Parents/Guardians:

"Two incidents occurred during the JROTC's field trip this past weekend. Two students were in possession of drugs and paraphernalia and some of the trip chaperones - parents and staff - were seen participating in "happy hour" at the hotel bar.

"Students are held to the same standards during a field trip as they are in school. Students must stay in full compliance with Board of Education policies and rules as well as the Charles County Public Schools Code of Student Conduct. Additionally, we require chaperones to provide a positive example for students while on school-sponsored trips.

"Both incidents violate Charles County Public Schools' policy and rules, which prohibit possession or use of alcohol or other drugs during the field trip. We are holding all involved accountable and will take disciplinary action where appropriate.

"We need reliable chaperones during field trips, and I apologize for the behavior of staff and parent chaperones."

In another letter sent over a week later on May 8, Meiser said two JROTC instructors have been removed from their positions at Westlake:

"Dear Parents/Guardians:

"I want to update you on your child's JROTC class. Last week we were alerted to possible inappropriate behavior of some students and adult chaperones during an out-of-town field trip. We have determined two staff members violated Charles County Public Schools policies and procedures while supervising students on a field trip to Philadelphia and New York. As a result of our investigation, neither instructor will return to Westlake.

"We have been able to hire two long-term substitutes, both with military backgrounds, to finish out the school year. We will continue to look for a permanent Navy JROTC instructor to start in the fall. The administrative team, as well as Career and Technology Education (CTE) specialists, will assist substitutes with lesson plans and oversight of Westlake's NJROTC classes. Additionally, our NJROTC staff from La Plata High School have volunteered to work with Westlake to ensure students' needs are met.

"If you have any questions, please contact me at the school office."