Mandatory freshman P.E. policy rescinded—at least for a year

At a meeting on Nov. 13, the district board voted to suspend a policy at Saratoga High that would require all freshmen to take P.E., even if they also participate in band or athletics.

Health and P.E. will not be combined into one class, and P.E. requirements for students in athletics will remain as is in Saratoga, at least for the 2013-14 school year. Los Gatos High School will continue discussion on implementing its own proposed Freshman Transition Plan.

“I’m really happy that our school board heard the concern of all of us teachers, students and parents,” music department chair Michael Boitz said.

The board will conduct further studies regarding the compliance of the current P.E. policy, specifically investigating concerns about the issuance of P.E. credit by non-credentialed staff and students who do not pass five of the six Physical Fitness Tests.

The policy, which was originally passed on June 5, was a topic of heated discussion at the Oct. 16 board meeting.

“I’m hoping that if anything, it drew some awareness that things should not happen without true transparency,” Boitz said.

Board members say they will continue to communicate openly with the community about the issue to determine the future of the school’s Health and P.E. programs.