Oct 1, 2014 2 min read

A proposal to alter the physical education programs at Trinity High School and Trinity Middle School, which included the elimination of swimming instruction at the middle school beginning with the 2015-16 school year, was turned down by Trinity Area School Board.

The proposal also included the elimination of one physical education teacher at the high school.

Voting in favor of the proposal at the board’s Sept. 18 meeting were directors Frances Eates, Kerrin McIlvaine, Jennifer Morgan and Edmund Trapuzzano. Opposed were Penny Caleffe, Thomas Durbin, Joseph LaBella and Frank Golsky. Director Henry Clemons was absent.

Since the 2013-14 school year, the number of Trinity High School students participating in physical education dropped by more than 20 percent, from 723 students to 578 students, according to Superintendent Michael Lucas.

The school district administration determined after a review of staffing needs in the physical education department that just two full-time physical education teachers are needed at the high school instead of three.

The recommendation to eliminate the swimming program is part of a staffing issue, according to the resolution proposed to the board.

The three middle school physical education teachers, who are American Red Cross-certified water safety instructors, informed district administrators they are concerned swimming instruction cannot be safely provided without an additional certified teacher.

A fourth middle school physical education teacher was moved to the elementary level.

School districts are not required by the state Department of Education to offer swimming instruction as part of the physical education curriculum.

The South Hills YMCA swim team uses the middle school swimming pool.