Ironton High School students who want to take part in any extracurricular activity will all meet the same academic standard now.

The Board of Education last night approved the adoption of the Ohio High School Athletic Association's requirement that athletes maintain a 1.0 grade point average to be eligible to play sports.

Until now, Ironton had required a 1.5 GPA for its athletes and other standards for other activities such as cheerleading and clubs.

"My concern is for very low average students who are working to the top of their abilities," High School Athletic Director Terry Parker said. "Most athletes do excel in the classroom, but there are certain kids I don't want to punish by a few tenths of a point."

Parker said to the best of his recollection, he thought 30 of last year's 45 high school football players were honor roll students.

Board member Robert Pleasant expressed concern that lowering the school's standard to 1.0 would be asking too little of students instead of challenging them to do more.

"I want to make sure that we keep the best expectations for the kids," Pleasant said, adding later that he believed his concerns were addressed.

He also said he wanted to make sure that the new policy for athletes applied to all activities beyond the classroom.

"I want to make sure it's fair and equitable across the board," he said.

Also last night, the board commended Middle School teacher Jackie Walker for her efforts to obtain a grant for the city's accelerated reader program.

Walker secured a $1,000 grant from the Dollar General Corporation. The money will be used to buy Caldecott and Newbury medal winner books.

Superintendent Stephen Kingery noted that Walker has had success getting other grants in the past. This is the latest of her achievements. Teresa Moore/The Ironton Tribune