Chatham parents urge retention of ISL program as board cites compliance and liability concerns

Parents, students and community members urged the School District of the Chathams Board of Education to retain the district’s Individual Student Learning (ISL) exemption that allows some students to substitute a study hall for physical education while participating in outside athletic or demanding extracurricular programs.

During two public-comment periods, multiple speakers said ISL enables students with heavy external commitments — such as dance or travel athletics — to balance academics and outside training without losing classes. Stephanie Lazarus, a parent of seventh- and ninth-grade students, asked the board for “more time as a community alongside the board to discuss this important topic” and warned that removing ISL would force some students “to drop another class from their schedule” or take summer classes. Chad Smith, a township resident and parent, said the program “affords the opportunity for students to enrich themselves, both academically and athletically.”

Board members and administrators said concerns prompting reconsideration of ISL go beyond recordkeeping. In a statement to the meeting, a board member said the original exemption and physical-education accommodations were created for a small cohort but the cohort “has grown into something much, much larger,” creating management challenges. The board member also highlighted that many programs linked to ISL are run by non-district advisors who are not employees and therefore do not receive the district’s required annual training on harassment, intimidation, bullying and other mandatory topics; the board said the district has no notification requirement when non-employee advisors change.

The board emphasized the district is concerned about supervision, training and liability when relying on non-employees to verify attendance or supervision for students in out-of-school activities. The board indicated the curriculum committee and high school administration will continue to examine options and compliance mechanisms; no formal policy change or vote to eliminate ISL was recorded at the meeting.

Speakers suggested possible fixes that would keep ISL while increasing accountability, such as stricter attestation requirements and shifting the burden of proof to students and parents. The board asked for continued committee-level discussion and did not adopt an immediate change to ISL during this meeting.