Although an "Eligibility Committee" appointed to study the issue implementing tougher academic requirements for extracurricular activities at Wareham's schools recommended no change in the current policy, some School Committee members continue to push for something tougher.

Earlier this year, the “Eligibility Committee” was formed per the request of the School Committee looking to see the school district toughen the current standards. Those standards require students to pass six of eight classes.

Wareham High School Principal Scott Palladino and Athletic Director Ed Rodrigues were on hand at the School Committee’s meeting Wednesday, and said it was the suggestion of the committee that there be no change to the current requirements.

“I'm concerned — we certainly want to increase the rigor . . . (but Wareham’s athletic teams are) already at a disadvantage when it comes to participation,” said Palladino, noting that students are choosing to go to other schools in the area and that the schools population was decreasing. “There are a lot of students that we have saved through athletics. I just don’t want to be put in a position where a student is not willing to take (academic risks) because (they’re not playing sports).”

Following their report, a lengthy discussion involving members of the Committee, Rodrigues, and Palladino ensued, and though no official vote was taken, several committee members still expressed a desire to change the current policy to either a one failure maximum, or a zero-tolerance policy.

Still, Palladino, Rodrigues, and boys basketball Coach Kevin Brogioli, who spoke at the beginning of the meeting, supported the current policy. Palladino said Wareham High School currently has the second toughest standards in the South Coast Conference, and tougher standards than required by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association.

“We graduate kids that if they didn’t attend Wareham High School, they would not graduate,” said Palladino.

He said that there are students involved in extracurricular activities who are from dysfunctional families and/or of low intellectual ability that are still able to graduate, often times because they stay in school because of the activities.

“We’re dealing with some dysfunction in this town,” he said.

School Committee Chair Cliff Sylvia said he was in favor of raising standards, just not for a zero-tolerance policy suggested at an earlier meeting by committee member Michael Flaherty.

“Every single one of our kids takes eight classes — that’s rigor,” said Sylvia. "Given the fact that our kids have to take eight classes . . I will never vote for zero (tolerance). I will vote for (a) one (failure policy) if certain safeguards are put in.”

One of the changes discussed regarded putting in safeguards to help students who were struggling academically.

“It’s our responsibly to create a support system if a child is starting to struggle academically,” said committee member Rhonda Veugen.

Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Shaver-Hood also said she was in favor of a system that would help prevent students from failing out of extracurriculars.

“Our responsibility to put some things in place to help that student,” said Shaver-Hood, who recommended that Palladino and Rodrigues come back with a plan for helping students if there were to be a change in the policy.

Although the committee did not vote on the Eligibility Committee’s suggestion, Sylvia also recommended Palladino and Rodrigues come back with a new suggestions for a stricter policy.