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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Millard Public Schools' associate superintendent has recommended against the school board giving physical education credit for marching band students.
The Omaha World-Herald (http://bit.ly/1JfAHEi ) reports that associate superintendent Mark Feldhausen gave his recommendation on Monday. Feldhausen says that waiving the PE requirement for band members would open the door to students in other activities seeking the same waiver.
He also said that a PE waiver would run counter to the district's emphasis on wellness, lifelong learning and physical education.
The idea of giving PE credit for marching band was part of a proposal to save costs for the district. Millard board members did not take action on the proposal
Feldhausen estimated that if 200 band students at each of the district's three high schools got credit for three semesters of PE, then the district would save over $95,000 a year.
The Millard school district requires that students to take three semesters of PE to graduate, and marching band is offered as an elective or can be taken to meet the district's one-semester requirement in the fine and performing arts.
Board member Dave Anderson noted that some students face scheduling difficulties while trying to satisfy music requirements, academic courses and PE.
Superintendent Jim Sutfin said the district could cut costs another way by reducing the district's P.E. requirement from three semesters to two semesters.
"That would cause likely a more significant reduction in the budget, probably a quarter of a million dollars," Sutfin said.
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Information from: Omaha World-Herald, http://www.omaha.com
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