Hillsborough students call on board to allow "Option 2" study hall for athletes, citing academics and sleep

Two Hillsborough High School students used the board's second public comment period on Sept. 23 to ask the district to adopt an "Option 2" provision that would allow student athletes who meet required out‑of‑school physical activity to substitute a study hall for gym class.

"Students who participate in a sport either through the school or outside for the school should be allowed to get a study hall instead of a gym class with proof from a coach," said Alex Nurse, a sophomore who identified herself and said she participates in multiple sports and honors classes. Nurse cited the New Jersey statute governing required minutes of physical education, saying the law requires high school students to receive 150 minutes of health, safety and physical education each week and arguing that many athletes meet those minutes outside school.

Samara Nambiar, also a sophomore, told the board she dances competitively more than 14 hours a week and described long practice days that can leave little time for homework and sleep. "Implementing an Option 2 at our school would benefit hundreds of students who put in 10 times more physical activity outside of school," she said, adding that a coach's weekly signature could verify outside activity.

Both students said Option 2 would improve their academic performance and mental health by giving them more time during the school day to study or rest. They cited peer examples and outside-school policies at other institutions as precedent.

A board member thanked the students and suggested the proposal be referred to the appropriate committee for review and potential recommendation. The board did not adopt Option 2 at the Sept. 23 meeting; members encouraged committee consideration and stakeholder input as next steps.