RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. — Starting July 1, 2025, Rutherford County Schools will adopt a new state mandate requiring all elementary students to receive 40 minutes of physical activity each school day. The change stems from legislation passed this spring by the Tennessee General Assembly, raising the previous minimum of 130 minutes per week to a daily requirement.
Senate Bill 158, introduced by Sen. Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald) and Rep. Scott Cepicky (R-Culleoka), received overwhelming bipartisan support—passing the House 95–0 and the Senate 28–1. Governor Bill Lee signed the bill into law in early May, with its provisions taking effect at the beginning of the 2025–26 school year.
Under the new law, physical activity includes walking, jumping rope, playing sports, or other forms of fitness-promoting movement. However, the 40 minutes must be separate from time spent in physical education classes, walking between classrooms, or any activity involving screen time. Schools are also prohibited from using the time as disciplinary leverage; students cannot be punished by having recess withheld…