Even as two new fitness programs are set to be launched in Northgate schools, administrators fear that the nationwide effort to promote healthy lifestyles among children could take the form of unfunded educational mandates that will tax local staff and funding resources.

Superintendent Dr. Reggie Bonfield said that the state is considering new regulations related to student health and fitness that would include mandatory daily exercise periods. Elementary school students would be required to get 150 minutes of exercise per week, while high school students would have to exercise for 225 minutes a week. Included in that are requirements for "rigorous" and outdoor exercise, Bonfield said, and participation in athletics could not be substituted for school day fitness activity.

"I believe this will have a significant impact on our staff," Bonfield told school board members at their work session on Monday.

The pending regulations also will address nutrition, and control what kind of food and snacks can be served in school.

Bonfield applauded efforts to cure the growing problem of childhood obesity, but questioned placing the burden on schools.

"We must be able to cure some ill outside the educational system," he said.

Northgate students will be getting two new fitness opportunities, even though they aren't mandated by the state.

Bellevue Elementary School will be getting a flat screen television and Wii units and fitness programs with a $9,920 grant from Highmark. An application for a similar grant to benefit Avalon Elementary School is pending, Bonfield said.

Middle school students will be able to get free memberships for the North Boroughs YMCA's fitness center. YMCA program director Bruce Berringer said the memberships are part of the Y's "Seventh Grade Initiative."

Because the program is getting off to a start late in the school year, he said, this year's seventh graders will be able to continue their memberships through their eighth grade year, and next year's seventh graders also will be eligible to participate.