When senior Megan Perkins learned the proposed science elective, IB Environmental Systems and Societies was going to be dropped from this school year’s courses, she said she was disappointed.

“I took AP environmental science as a freshman … I also thought it would be a good way to see how much I remembered,” Perkins said. “(IB environmental systems) would’ve focused on the environment and not just biology or chemistry like the other classes I’ve taken.”

Al Wachutka, AP Environmental Science teacher, said he was disappointed the class was dropped because he believed the kids who enrolled had sincere interest in the subject.

“That kind of bothers me, when we have kids who are willing to jump into pretty difficult (learning),” Wachutka said. “That was kind of disappointing to pull that away.”

Principal Scott Meyers said the class was dropped because there were not enough students signed up for the course.

“(The class) did actually reduce below 30 (enrolled students) shortly before we decided to say we’re not going to run it,” Meyers said. “The class looked like it was going to keep getting smaller and smaller.”

Wachutka said science classes are large this year, his largest having 38 students, but he felt enough students enrolled to sustain the class.

“Why don’t we offer new things if that’s what students want?” Wachutka said. “Our schedule should be student driven within the confines of the standards (required) for graduation.”

Wachutka said it’s important the class be offered at Park because it prepares students to enter multiple fields of science.

“Kids should be doing science,” Wachutka said. “This is one opportunity we have to really do science instead of learn about the history of that topic.”

Meyers said that the administration will continue to approach registration and scheduling as it has before.

“(The class) will be put in the course offering guide, people will select whether they want to take it or not, and we’ll see if the numbers can sustain the class,” Meyers said. “If the interest level is high enough, then we can run it.”

Wachutka said he will continue to register the class for coming years, but for Perkins, there won’t be another chance to enroll.

“With all the environmental issues that are going on, being able to have a more informed opinion on those topics is important,” Perkins said.