Just received new information from the FHSAA this morning outlining some things that will affect reclassification. Here is what we can tell you.
CUTOFF LINES FOR EACH CLASSIFICATION
FHSAA BYLAW – Per Policy 12.3.2.1, the highest two-thirds of schools, by student population, will be as evenly divided as possible into the top four classifications (8A-5A) and the remaining one-third, by student population, will be as evenly divided as possible into the bottom four classifications (4A-1A). Class 1A has its own criteria as the “Rural Division” as well.
The cutoff lines defined the past two years will be modified with the Fall 2012 Student Population Report came out on Wednesday. That means where teams are at based on the current cutoff lines may not be where they are at once the new lines are established. According to FHSAA spokesperson Corey Sobers, the cutoff lines will be modified, but not far off what they have been the past two years. The goal is to get two-thirds of the schools evenly divided as possible between Classes 5A to 8A with the remaining one-third going to Classes 1A to 4A. However, do note that Class 1A has its own separate rules when it comes to placing schools into that classification.
WHAT IS CONFIRMED
Sobers also provided this list as what is officially confirmed so far in regards to reclassification.
- The Board of Directors finalized the Classification policy (Policy 12) and no changes were made. However, the dividing lines between classes in terms of population will change.
- Staff will be working on classifications and districts over the next several months.
- Football assignments (districts and classes) will be released in late December as the scheduling meetings are in January. All other sports will be released after the New Year. An estimate would be the beginning of February but they will be released as they are completed by FHSAA sport administrators.
- An appeal period will be established after the release of district assignments. The county superintendent (or their designee) will need to authorize any member school appeals.
So basically for now what we posted is mostly correct with the enrollment report, but changes are going to be made and we will update that information once we know where the cutoff lines are going to be placed at. That means likely fewer teams in 6A then what the current cutoff lines would suggest (which after looking at 6A further in depth based just on the current cutoff lines, 6A will need to be changed to provide relief. 104 teams, 16 districts and geography issues equal a big mess if this was to hold up ). Also means 8A, 7A and 5A could see a bump up in the number of teams by a few depending on where the lines are placed at. I would not be surprised if 2A to 4A see some changes, but based on what we see now, changes maybe few and far between since the numbers fall very close to what the FHSAA is likely seeking from the one-third view point.
