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Lodi Unified student urges board to reconsider PE mile/BMI standard, citing rapid weight gain and mental‑health concerns
Summary
A 15‑year‑old student told the board that a new individualized PE passing standard that sets a 7:18 mile time based on height and weight is unrealistic after medication‑related weight gain; she asked the board for exemption or reconsideration and linked the rule to body‑image harm.
At the public‑comment period, Rachel Conroy, a freshman, addressed the board about district PE requirements she said were recently updated for individualized pass standards.
Conroy said that earlier in the year she believed the requirement to pass was a 10‑minute mile but was later told she now must meet a 7‑minute, 18‑second mile time adjusted for height and weight. She described gaining more than 40 pounds in two months after starting a new medication and said the change had made passing the class feel unattainable. Conroy told the board she is working with a therapist, attending physical therapy for back and neck pain, and training at home, and she asked the board to either excuse her from the requirement or revise the expectations so students are not set up for failure.
Conroy framed her request as both a practical concern and a student‑wellness issue: she said that applying a strict time tied to BMI can be damaging to body image and mental health. The board thanked her for speaking; Superintendent Young acknowledged her remarks on the record. No immediate policy change was made during the meeting; board members expressed appreciation for her courage and asked staff to look into the matter.
