WARREN, Ohio - The Trumbull County Career and Technical Center (TCTC) will be ending its ROTC program following the graduation of the class of 2024.

According to TCTC High School Director Paula Baco, this decision was due to a combination of low enrollment and the current Lieutenant Colonel retiring. Baco tells 21 News it is very difficult to find a replacement Lieutenant Colonel.

Baco told us that TCTC was the only school in the area to offer ROTC as a career and technical program, and all other schools in the Valley run it as an elective course.

Baco says TCTC has the program as an aviation program under the Ohio Department of Education, but the Air Force is "not on the same page" and says the Air Force is always "dinging" them for lack of enrollment. 

Additionally, this retirement will affect Lakeview and Champion High Schools, which were offering it as an elective course due to the same Lieutenant Colonel being in charge of the course at both schools.

According to Baco, Austintown Fitch is currently the only school in the Valley still offering ROTC as an elective course.

Baco tells 21 News this decision was not taken lightly and that TCTC is continuously examining programs. 

"We're continually looking at student needs and employment needs under Ohio DOE guidelines," Baco said.