Despite a somewhat charged discussion Wednesday, Sharpsville Area School Board voted to raise academic eligibility standards for students participating in extra-curricular and co-curricular activities.

With a 5-3 vote, directors passed a first reading of a policy revision that will sideline students if they're failing two major core classes, such as math and science, or if they're failing classes equaling two combined credits.

The policy won't become official until approved during a second reading next month. It would take affect immediately.

A similar two-F policy was in place in the district prior to the most recent revision in 1998.

Voting for the change were directors Kimberly Barringer, Joyce Grandy, Donna Murray, Susan Pokorney and Chris Ruffo.

"I think this represents one of the most important advances in terms of policy that Sharpsville has put forth in a long, long time," Mrs. Murray said. "Our job is to prepare these kids to make a living. And if we don't do our job here, then it isn't going to get done out there."

Voting to retain the district's current eligibility policy were directors David DeForest, Terry Karsonovich and Lori Gill. Director Charles Rice was absent.

The existing policy, which mirrors the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association's, allows students to compete or participate as long as they're passing four classes. The PIAA governs high school and middle school sports.

"I have found that using negative reinforcement with children doesn't always result in positive behavior. And I think we already have enough negative reinforcement," Mrs. Gill said.

"We should be providing as many opportunities as possible to students," said Karsonovich. "This limits it."

Mrs. Murray disagreed.

"We're not asking for the sun, moon and stars here," she said. "We're asking them to make a D. And if they can't make a D, then there's something radically wrong with our education system."

In addition to toughening academic standards, the policy also adds the school prom and the spring musical as activities covered by the eligibility requirements. The existing policy had allowed students to participate in both events regardless of their academic standing.

The only exempt activities, Superintendent Dr. Derry L. Stufft said recently, would be those that a student must participate in for a grade.

"We're just saying academics should be your first priority," Mrs. Barringer said.

Under the revised policy, all students' grades will be checked each Friday. And if any student isn't meeting the academic minimum standard, then he or she must sit out one week of activities.