Committee debates middle-school PE waivers, zero‑period limits and JROTC credit; asks administration for more analysis

Committee members spent substantial time on edits to Policy 5040 that would restore middle‑school PE waivers, allow greater flexibility for counting organized sports (including ASD sports) toward movement-minute requirements, and permit JROTC participation to satisfy PE credit at the high-school level.

Administrators said the proposed middle‑school changes would let sixth graders combine a quarter of health with PE into a single year‑long course to free an elective slot under a sixth‑period day. Sean Prince and Jose cautioned that immersion students could lose access to language instruction under some schedules and that zero‑period (before‑school) options face constraints: principals report limited staff interest, bus and transportation limitations, and gym‑space conflicts.

On waivers, administration proposed reinstating a middle‑school waiver option that mirrors high‑school waivers so students who participate in ASD sports or sustained outside athletics could apply to count that activity toward movement minutes. The committee discussed equity concerns and asked that waiver rules allow ASD participation as well as outside club participation to avoid imposing costs on families.

For high school, the administration recommended recognizing JROTC as meeting PE expectations in some cases so students enrolled in JROTC can earn PE credit and preserve opportunities to take other electives. Member Wilson and others voiced support for JROTC recognition and for creating an equitable waiver process.

Members noted Proposition 9, a district levy on the April 7 ballot, could change staffing and restore positions; the committee debated whether to delay policy finalization until after the election but ultimately directed administration to produce waiver language, survey data and a CFO analysis to return at the next governance meeting.

The committee did not take final action to adopt the 5040 waivers at this meeting; members asked staff to provide formal staff/parent interest surveys, an estimate of the cost or logistics to offer additional sports (for example male volleyball), and financial analysis of a proposed parent activity pass before the next meeting.