Panther Valley School Board has hired a second instructor for the high school's popular JROTC program, filling a vacancy.

The board voted 9-0 to hire Janet Gibbs at a board meeting Monday night.She is expected to start teaching at the school within a month, according to Principal Joseph Gunnels. Her official title is Army instructor.She joins Maj. Gerald New, who has been the senior Army instructor since 2014. He had been leading the club, which has about a quarter of the students in grades 9-12, on his own. The previous Army instructor left in summer 2015.Gibbs will be the first woman to lead the Panther Valley JROTC program. Gunnels said the program runs smoother with two leaders."His job, as senior Army instructor, is to be running and managing things," Gunnels said. "She is more 'boots on the ground.'"Gibbs' salary is set by the Department of Defense, and the school district covers a portion of it.JROTC students all spend at least one period per day in the JROTC classroom. Some spend two, with one dedicated to learning, and another to leading other students.Gunnels said that the decision to hire a new instructor does not mean that they will allow students to continue serving as honor guard at military funerals. Local veterans questioned school officials when they stopped that practice last year.Gunnels said that the Army actually recommends against having students participating in funerals as a JROTC unit. He said that he would like the students to hold a single remembrance event at the school next year.School board members expressed their support for the hire.John Williams said he interviewed Gibbs and believes she will be a good fit for the program."She seemed an excellent, excellent choice. Very good personality, and knowledgeable," Williams said."We'll finally get some help in there," Anthony DeMarco said.