No gym for Round Lake High jocks, band members?

Round Lake High School will offer students participating in varsity athletics or marching band the option to be exempt from physical education classes beginning this fall.

Round Lake Area Unit District 116 Chief Executive Officer Ben Martindale said he expects the physical education waiver option to help "rebuild" the school's athletic and band programs after years of lackluster student participation.

"In the past, we've had difficulties with our fine arts, marching band and sports programs," Martindale said. "Our hope is that this decision will increase student participation levels in marching band and varsity sports while reducing the number of students in physical education classes."

District officials say the exemption option is aimed at providing an extra incentive for students to participate marching band and varsity sports programs.

And, since exempted students would no longer participate in physical education courses, district officials expect to also relieve student overcrowding in that department.

Former District 116 Chief Education Officer Janet Elenbogen called the decision "a step in the right direction."

The Illinois State Board of Education permits high schools to choose whether to offer the exemption option to their students. Eligible high school students can be exempted from physical education for a maximum of two school years.