WHEATFIELD -- Plans to temporarily eliminate the physical education program in the Kankakee Valley School Corp. as a result of the reduction in force needed to make up a nearly $1 million budget shortfall likely will not affect the school system's accreditation.
A recent newsletter from the Kankakee Valley Teachers Association cited Sue Foxx, interim physical education specialist with the Indiana Department of Education, as saying the school system could jeopardize its accreditation by not offering physical education.
"A recent written conversation with an Indiana Department of Education official has revealed that not offering Physical Education and Health at the middle and high school levels would result in a school failing to be accredited," according to the newsletter.
"According to Sue Foxx, Interim Physical Education Consultant with the DOE, all public schools must offer all courses each year that are required to earn a diploma," the newsletter continues.
The state of Indiana requires 100 minutes of physical education a week at the middle school level and two credit hours of physical education at the high school level, according to Foxx. High school physical education credits can also be obtained by student participation in certain extracurricular activities such as a sport or band.
However, George Frampton, chief certification officer with the Department of Education, said many schools in the state are facing similar situations due to the dramatic budget cuts that have been forced upon them.
"This for many schools is brand new ground with the amount of cuts being required. Schools are making very, very difficult cuts. The primary way is through personnel," Frampton said.
Not offering a required course like physical education for a long enough period could find some students potentially graduating without fulfilling the requirement. That could result in some sort of notation on the school system's accreditation but it would not result in its loss.
Superintendent Glenn Krueger said school board officials are aware of the possible ramifications of not offering physical education and will consider recalling some physical education teachers if enough teachers participate in the early retirement program.
"We know about the accreditation. We also know we aren't going to lose it magically if we do without PE for a year," Krueger said.