Connellsville Area board debates issue of credited summer gym classes
CONNELLSVILLE – Students will have to run a little farther, swim a little farther and play basketball a little longer if they opt to take a credited summer physical education to accommodate their fall class schedule. For nearly two hours Wednesday, numerous past and present Connellsville Area High School students, their parents and some teachers urged the school board to re-evaluate the inclusion of the credited program they voted to disband last month.
“You are hurting the better students,” said sophomore Justin Kurtz as he addressed the board. “They are your future.”
In the past, students who wanted to include an elective class, in addition to other required courses, in their schedule during the school year have taken the summer offering.
Last month, by a 5- 4-vote margin, the board opted to drop the credited gym class, stating that the course did not meet physical fitness guidelines established by the state Department of Education or the district.
Each summer the district offers course instruction for those who have failed classes during the regular school year, including a physical education course. No credit is offered for the make-up classes.
The credited course is held 20 hours each week for three weeks. If a student takes the class during the school year, he receives 53 hours of instruction.
Proponents of the summer program said that opting to attend class after the regular school year allows for a more academic-related school schedule.
“I took the summer gym class so that I could get the classes I wanted,” said 2002 graduate Brian Kline.
After hearing the student pleas to re-establish the summer course, director Charles Wilson, who initially opposed the offering, said he will introduce a motion that the credited program be extended to 80 hours of instruction. Student participants would have six weeks to take the course.
Board member Jeffrey Harvey, who also did not vote for the credited program, said he was more in favor of offering elective courses during the summer and allowing students to take part in regular physical education courses during the school year.
The board agreed to institute Wilson’s proposal for the upcoming summer.
“We have to look at this further,” said board member Francis Mongell.
Superintendent Gerald Browell said students wishing to take part in the program could begin immediately with proper registration and payment of the $80 fee.