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Single-sex P.E. classes on way?
Trustees look into value of educational setting, use of dogs, tests to fight drugs
| Monday, Jan 7 2008 10:58 PM
Last Updated: Monday, Jan 7 2008 11:07 PM
Despite concerns for effectiveness, cost and scheduling complications, Trustee Ken Mettler said Monday he still wants district staff to research single-sex physical education classes, drug-sniffing dogs and pre-employment drug screening.
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“I think they all three have merit,” Mettler said. “There are administrative issues, there’s cost issues, there’s public issues, there’s ... our students and our parents. ... I’m looking for input and ... we should do what’s best for our kids.”
As for gym classes, federal rules restrict districts from eliminating coeducation all together, so single-sex classes would be voluntary and would require equal opportunity for both boys and girls in class offerings.
Trustee Chad Vegas said he would like to see a survey of interest among students. And Bryan Batey suggested piloting the program.
“If ... we have kids who say, ‘Hey, I think I’ll do better in a single-sex class,’ and we can legally do it, why would we avail them of that choice?” Mettler asked.
But Bob Hampton, who was quick to remind the board of his master’s degree in physical education, disagreed.
“There’s value to coeducational physical education,” he said. “individual responsibility we’re trying to teach to the students and that can be enhanced in a coeducation physical education class.” Mettler’s drug-sniffing K-9 proved a challenging discussion.
KHSD Director of Pupil Personnel Alan Paradise recommended against this. His research could produce no data showing school districts currently employing such dog handlers actually reduced the number of drug- or alcohol-related expulsions or deterred such activity. Neither Bakersfield Christian High School nor Garces Memorial High School, who both use dog services, uncovered illegal substances as a result of the dogs, Paradise said.
And a “conservative” estimate of contracts with K-9 companies could cost the district upwards of $20,000 annually, he said.
“Our present system is working as far as I’m concerned,” Hampton said. “It’s up to the individual student to show us (their) responsibility in not using drugs. ‘We don’t need a dog to deter you. We trust you.’ That’s the educational atmosphere that works.”
A representative from the faculty association, Mitch Olson, asked, “What kind of environment does it create?”
Finally, a pre-employment drug screen could cost the district $100,000 a year.
Vegas commented that applicants the district attempts to screen out would simply wait the required amount of time for drugs to leave their system before subjecting themselves to a drug test.