Board reduces graduation PE requirement to one credit; athletic eligibility adjusted

The Bristol Board of Education voted Sept. 10 to revise Policy 6146 (Graduation Requirements) to reduce the district’s physical‑education requirement to the Connecticut minimum of one credit. The policy change was part of budget reductions the board adopted this summer.

District staff explained that juniors and seniors who lose a PE seat because of the change may pick other available electives, and that school counselors could help students adjust schedules. The superintendent said communications about schedule changes were sent by individual schools; a board member said she received notice roughly a week before school began.

Because the athletic and activity‑eligibility policy references the number of required credits, the board also revised Policy 6145.2 (Extracurricular and Co‑curricular Activities) so juniors and seniors must be enrolled in five credits total to participate in athletics and activities. Previously, the policy required juniors and seniors to be enrolled in 5.5 academic credits plus 0.5 credits of PE; the revision aligns the eligibility standard to the lowered PE requirement.

Board members said the changes were difficult but necessary to fit the approved budget. Several commissioners asked whether students displaced from PE could enroll in additional electives; staff said counselors were fielding requests to add courses and that some elective courses had open seats.

The motion to approve the policy revisions passed unanimously. The superintendent and staff agreed to follow up with families and provide specifics about schedule notices and the process for students who want to add electives.

Background: the district previously exceeded the state minimum for physical education but cut staffing and positions to balance the budget; the board adopted the policy change as an administrative step to align graduation requirements with current staffing and funding.

Next steps: staff will confirm how schools notified families and continue to work with counselors to place students in available electives.