No reason given for JROTC leader's absence

Francis Scarcella, The Daily Item, Sunbury, Pa.
·1 min read

Apr. 26—SUNBURY — Shikellamy Superintendent Jason Bendle is not saying why high school JROTC instructor Rich Cassem has not been instructing the program for the past several weeks.

Cassem, who was hired in the district in 2020, is a 25-year Army veteran, who led the program after former instructor Joe Walsh left the district in 2019.

Bendle would not confirm if Cassem left the district on his own, or if an incident occurred. Bendle said he would not comment on personnel.

Bendle only said there are two people who run the program, the second being Sgt. Brian Henninger, who was hired by the district last year.

An email was sent to Cassem's district email seeking comment, but it bounced back saying the email was no longer valid.

— FRANCIS SCARCELLA