District, state examining physical education program

RCS officials are working with state in an audit of the Physical Education Department.

The district is one of 19 in the state to undergo an audit of its program by the state comptroller’s office to determine if the programs meet all state education department requirements.

Interim Superintendent Dr. Mike Johnson, along with Athletic Director Ron Racey and middle school principals Pam Black and Liz SantaBarbara, met with auditors last week to begin the two-week review process.

The state announced in May that the audits would take place in randomly selected schools.

Johnson said RCS is aware of areas that meet state standards and areas it – like many schools -fall short of the standards and must take corrective action.

Specifically, he said, RCS meets the requirements of having teachers and an athletic director certified as physical education instructors.

Additionally, he said, the all seventh-12^th grade students receive 80 to 120 minutes of physical education class work each week, likewise meeting state standards.

Johnson said the district does not, however, meet the state standard requiring daily physical education courses in kindergarten through second grade. Third through sixth grade students likewise do not meet the 120 minute weekly requirement for physical education courses.

“This is a requirement that, through my experience in a number Capital Region Schools, educators have a problem meeting because of the mandates and required courses schools must provide,” he said. 

However, “we will convene a committee this fall to look at our physical education program and ways the district can address the need to provide more physical fitness activities in the elementary schools,” he said.

Johnson did note, though, that RCS has been on the cutting edge of physical education classes with such programs as the walking program at A.W. Becker Elementary Schools, which was launched last school, and the Project Adventure programs in all schools. Project Adventure incorporates climbing walls, elliptical training machines, heart rate monitors, body fat testers, rope courses and other equipment and activities designed to make physical fitness fun for all youths.

Additionally, the district launched a fitness report card program that provides a report to parents twice a school year on student fitness and health.

“We will work internally and with the state to address whatever recommendations the auditors make to improve the already excellent physical education program we have in place,” said Johnson.