Carson City School District staff presented proposed changes to Policy 5.39 (Independent Study in Physical Education) on July 22 to align district practice with updates to the Nevada Administrative Code and guidance from the Nevada Department of Education (NDE).

Why it matters: the proposed policy would expand and clarify conditions under which students may be exempted from required physical-education courses by documenting verified outside participation; this is a first reading and no action was taken.

Tasha Fusen, a district administrator who presented the item with Brandon Bringhurst, said the NAC and NDE guidance allow students to be exempted from up to two required PE credits when they complete verified, outside physical activities. "The guidance we received from the Department of Education allows those credits to be waived based on semester credit, which starts at 60 hours," Fusen said, and staff said they would add language to the regulation clarifying that 60 hours equals a half-credit, 120 hours a full credit and 240 hours would constitute two full credits.

Items that qualify for exemptions under the draft include a medical exemption (statement from a licensed physician), a religious-belief exemption (parent/guardian statement), enrollment in ROTC or marching band, participation in athletics, dance, cheer or similar school-sponsored activities, or participation in competitive clubs or sports recognized by the school or district. Staff noted that participation hours must occur outside the regular school day and require school verification.

Board members raised concerns about scope and public health implications. One trustee said she did not support allowing two full PE exemptions on principle, stressing PE's role in mental health, nutrition education and general activity. Legal and staff attendees clarified that NDE guidance and NAC changes make two exemptions permissible and that implementing a local restriction inconsistent with NAC/Governing guidance could require legal review.

Fusen and Bringhurst said that, in practice, many students seeking waivers historically have been those pursuing language, CTE or music pathways and those who already access outside athletics; the policy is meant to streamline documentation rather than allow students to opt out of physical activity. Staff cautioned that the exemption is an exemption from a course requirement, not award of a PE credit; to earn PE credit a student must take the class. The draft also requires schools to establish procedures and timelines for submitting exemption documentation.

No vote was taken; the policy was presented for first reading. Staff said they would return with final language and implement procedures for verifying outside participation if the board adopts the change.