While the Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education’s efforts to find a permanent superintendent have exploded twice in recent years, the controversial issue of whether high school athletes should receive course credit for practicing their sports has simmered.
But it’s an issue that board members who are elected on Tuesday will have to address in the next four years. Early voting has ended, but polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. It’s too late to apply for an absentee ballot. Those who have already requested absentee ballots must return them by the time polls close.
Currently, many LCPS athletes who participate in major high school sports including football, volleyball and basketball can earn course credit for practicing. Part of the controversy surrounds the fact that, if they also opt to take other physical education courses, those athletes can spend more time in physical education courses and less in academic courses than other high-school students in the district. As an example, they could opt to lift weights instead of taking creative writing.
Even more controversial is the fact that athletes who participate in other high-school sports, including soccer and wrestling, don’t get the same benefit as major-sport athletes.
The debate flared when former Superintendent Louis Martinez ousted former Mayfield High School Principal Robert Ogas in 2005, and again last year when former Superintendent Sonia Diaz attempted to begin a discussion on how to deal with the issue.
The debate has at times become a larger discussion about what extracurricular activities should earn students credit toward graduation. During recent interviews, the five candidates for two seats on the school board shared their views – some briefly, and others in great detail.
Larry Garcia, District 4 candidate
Larry Garcia, one of two candidates for the District 4 board seat, said he “wouldn’t mind seeing that we give credit for all extracurricular activities” because, he said, such activities build self-confidence and motivate students to stay in school.
Garcia said that would be a way to attempt to reduce the dropout rate.
He said he thinks it’s especially important to give credit for such activities at the elementary-school level, because it would excite children about school at an early age.
“We should do anything we can that encourages the student,” Garcia said.
Bonnie Votaw, District 4 candidate
Garcia’s opponent for the open board seat, Bonnie Votaw, cautioned that increasing the number of extracurricular activities offered for credit would cost additional money.
That’s just one of the many complexities of the debate, she said. Scheduling issues – which also turn into a problem with money – and NCAA requirements are among other considerations.
“I think it’s really complicated, and it’s one of those things that need lots of involvement,” Votaw said. “There needs to be an invitation to a reasoned discussion.”
Votaw said addressing the issue has been made more difficult by the standoffish demeanor of the past two superintendents. She said a discussion will likely need the moderation of a talented facilitator, and also needs pledges from all that they will work together to find solutions.
“I think it’s a real delicate situation,” Votaw said.
Sharon Wooden, District 5 incumbent
District 5 incumbent Sharon Wooden said the definition of what is curricular and what is extracurricular is changing. In some ways, curriculum is “everything that happens to students in the schools,” but “with the pressure we’re getting now to teach science and math and reading, maybe everything else is extracurricular.”
Wooden said she favors giving credit for sports practice.
“It is a choice of some students, and it keeps them going,” she said. “It’s important that students have choices.”
Wooden said sports are so effective in keeping students in school because students “feel some ownership” in athletics, and added that, “If we could find a way to build that in all areas, we would be famous.”
Asked why some athletes can earn such credit and others cannot, Wooden said, “We never come to grips with that as a board.” That’s partly because the board has been distracted by the turmoil surrounding the superintendent position for the past few years, she added.
Wooden said one reason some athletes can earn credit and others cannot is that some parents and boosters are more vocal. Those who are more outspoken sometimes receive more attention, she said.
“You’re trying to meet the needs of an awful lot of people,” Wooden said. “… It’s not easy, and you’re not going to please everybody all the time.”
Connie Phillips, District 5 challenger
Connie Phillips, one of Wooden’s two challengers, said she has no problem with allowing students to receive course credit for athletic practice as long as they are earning only physical education credit for that time.
She also said she believes in general that courses in athletics and music are important for motivating students to stay in school.
“I believe athletics are good for children,” Phillips said. “They need to get out and they need the exercise.”
Phillips also said she doesn’t believe it’s fair that some high-school athletes can earn course credit for practicing but others cannot.
“That doesn’t seem fair,” Phillips said. “It seems that, if it’s one, it should be all.”
David Morgan, District 5 challenger
David Morgan, Wooden’s other challenger, said he believes there needs to be “some sort of level playing field” in offering course credit for athletics, arts and creative media programs. Acknowledging that adding more courses to the curriculum requires additional funding, he said he doesn’t know whether reaching that balance involves adding courses or removing some, including athletics practices.
“I think, at this point, everything is on the table,” Morgan said. “I think it’s an issue that needs to be explored more.”