Don’t like art?  Well, if you’re a student at Menomonie High School, that’s not a problem anymore.  The school board has decided to cut the graduation requirement of taking one fine arts credit.  This change was approved on a 5-4 vote, clearly a highly debated decision between the members of the board.  They also decided to remove the requirement of a life skills class, and shaved off half a credit in social studies and physical education. The new requirements for graduation will include 1 ½ credits in physical education, four in English, three in social studies, two in math, three for science, and half a credit in health education.  In 2014 the students will also need to take a half credit in financial literacy. The board members were pretty split on the decision.  Those against the change think it may lead to a trend of fewer fine arts programs in other high schools.  Those in favor think students need more options for courses.  The board decided on the changes because the high school now has only seven class periods in each day, rather than eight.  It is also supposed to help students take a balance of different subjects in their electives.  However, it also shows the changing priorities of school boards and what is considered important enough to be required.