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Single-sex P.E. classes, drug dogs on agenda

BY TARA MCLAUGHLIN, Californian staff writer
e-mail: tmclaughlin@bakersfield.com | Friday, Feb 1 2008 10:20 PM

Last Updated: Friday, Feb 1 2008 10:42 PM

It's dogs and drugs and boys and girls on the agenda for Monday's Kern High School District board meeting.

Last month, trustee Ken Mettler floated three ideas past the board and will now call for members to consider these policy proposals:

Principals may institute voluntary single-sex gym classes if additional staffing isn't required. Co-ed classes would have to be offered as well to stay compliant with Title IX, the law that was adopted in the 1970s to eliminate sex discrimination.

Drug-detection dogs should be implemented at KHSD starting next school year. The dogs would not be allowed to sniff students but would be able to sniff lockers, desks, cars on district property or at district-sponsored events.

Teachers, staff and administration should be subject to a physical and drug test before any job offer is extended.

These proposals, if approved, would come up for a vote at the March 3 board meeting, Mettler said.

Trustee Joel Heinrichs will ask the board to consider recommendations to bolster the career technical offerings in the district, including researching the possibility of creating a career tech oriented school with bond funds in lieu of a comprehensive high school, the agenda says.

A report to the board on the issue includes several possibilities for expanding career tech programs, including lobbying for more funding and night classes.

Heinrichs' policy will also be up for a vote at the March 3 meeting.

Additionally, the board will vote on several policy proposals:

Implement and track a program to ensure equitable services at Title I funded schools compared to non-Title I schools. This includes implementing and tracking a districtwide salary schedule, comparable student-teacher ratios and equal per-student funding for materials.

A policy to ensure greater opportunities for parent involvement.

A wellness policy to create a comprehensive fitness and nutrition program in line with federal law.

How to go

When: 7 p.m. Monday

Where: 5801 Sundale Ave.