Some North Carolina Schools May Cut Arts, Physical Education

School systems say they may have to cut arts and physical education classes in elementary schools this fall.

School officials are warning the cuts may be necessary if North Carolina lawmakers don't change plans for reducing class sizes.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reports that lawmakers voted last year to limit class sizes for kindergarten through third grade.

School leaders say paying to staff the smaller classes will require them to cut elsewhere, either by reducing programs such as the arts, or by increasing other class sizes.

North Carolina Music Educators Association President James Daugherty says many of his colleagues are worried about losing their jobs.

Union Rep. Craig Horn says lawmakers didn't consider the impact of the class-size changes when the measure was added to the state budget last year. Horn says lawmakers were more focused on teacher pay raises.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.