According to the state legislation (Iowa Code §256.11(5)(g) and 281 I.A.C. 12.5) that are cited by Policy 603.06, the Ankeny School Board's physical education policy, students may be excused from P.E. if he or she is enrolled in a school-sponsored athletic activity (see https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/256.11.pdf)

However, the Ankeny School Board's policy supersedes the state's. ACSD has mandated P.E. for graduation, an extension individually created by the district, not the state. The district officiated this requirement without permitting the exemption of physical education due to a school-sponsored sport. P.E., due to its mandatory status, becomes a senseless opportunity cost for students who genuinely want to excel in school—students who already satisfy the very intention that physical education aims to enforce.

Moreover, according to Ankeny High School's official physical education syllabus, P.E. classes are becoming more overcrowded, depleting the school's academic resources. Changing the school board's policy to align more with the state's would subsidize extracurricular involvement district-wide and alleviate the strain put on P.E. teachers and their classes.

Sign the petition to help change the board's policy and relieve stress for academically and physically ambitious students.