WARREN, Ohio - Student athletes in Warren can now opt out of the gym class required for graduation. The policy change also includes cheerleaders and members of the marching band.
On a vote of 3-2, the Warren School Board agreed with parents who feel their child's participation in sports and other activities is adequate physical activity.
Melissa Watson is the Director of Teaching and Learning. "The rigorous physical activity that they get in the other co-curriculum activities, we feel, is sufficient." Watson said.
She added that the student, who opts out of physical education, or gym, must replace that time with another class. "It's the time they're having in class with the academics, which right now, is paramount for us."
With Warren schools under academic watch by the state, the district feels this policy change is a win-win for the district and the student who is already physically active.
"With the academic situation that we're in, we need every opportunity our students can get to have an extra class or to, have a class that's going to better prepare them for college or career readiness, we need to take advantage of it," Watson said.
The policy is forfeited should the student drop the other activity or is cut from a team. It has to be two full seasons and there's no exception to that.
Superintendent Bruce Thomas says the district needed to act on the change now, because students will soon begin scheduling classes for the new school year.
Other area school districts of comparable size to Warren, like Austintown, Boardman and Canfield do not allow students to forgo physical education classes.
