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CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP) -- In compliance with a school district policy, Canyon View High School is cutting back on athletic practices during class hours and requiring the athletes to take one more academic class.
Principal Steve Burton said that beginning this fall, there no longer will be first- or fourth-period practices for the Falcons' team.
Instead, athletes will practice before or after school.
"Choosing between academics and practicing during the school day -- that's an unfair choice," Burton said.
Athletes now take an advanced weight training class in addition to the regular physical education-health classes.
Changing the weight training class requirement will allow students to participate in athletics without having to use an academic class hour.
"If someone did athletics both semesters every year of school, they will graduate with over 20 percent of their classes in P.E.," said Paul Maggio, Iron County School District director of secondary education.
Student body president McKay Tripp, who does not participate in sports, said that when the students no longer have practice during the school day, they will be tied up longer with athletics and have less time to do their homework.
They also will have additional homework because they will take one more class.
Maggio said the decision is districtwide but CVHS is the only school in the district with afternoon athletics in its class schedule. Cedar High School has first-period athletics. Students in that class also will be affected by the decision.
Tripp said a petition opposing the changes is being circulated among parents.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
