Champions Bowl Series, Class 1A appeal process policy, topics for final FHSAA meeting of the school year

GAINESVILLE – At the last meeting for the 2014-2015 school year, the Florida High School Athletic Association will take up several topics of discussion including possible policy changes as well as recommending approval for Florida to be a continuing participant in the Champions Bowl Series.

In in a topic discussed at the last Board of Directors meeting back in April, the FHSAA has proposed an appeal process for teams seeking to be placed into Class 1A due to geographical hardship.

Currently Class 1A serves as the classification for schools in rural areas where the student enrollment is 600 students or less. However, during the recent reclassification cycle that has taken place several schools have expressed to the FHSAA on how their new district assignments have created a financial and travel hardship on the athletic programs.

The proposed change states that if, “A school that does not meet the definition of rural as described in 12.3.2.1 and 12.4.2.1 that has and enrollment of that is equal or less than 600 may be assigned to the 1A classification if the school’s assigned district creates a geographic hardship for that school and other schools in the district.”

However, this change is not being recommended for approval by FHSAA Executive Director, Dr. Roger Dearing.

Also up for discussion is the participation of FHSAA member schools in the Champions Bowl Series which launched last year. Florida, which was one of three states to take part in the inaugural series last year, has been offered a chance to take part once again for the upcoming 2015 season. The selection process would include the highest nationally ranked teams involving teams from several different states. Utah and Washington were the other two states to take part in the inaugural series. Paragon Marketing which set up last year’s inaugural event, will once again be handling the details of the series for this year.

Other items of action for the FHSAA include approving schools for continuing membership status, moving members from provisional to full members as well as accepting new members for the upcoming school year. Also three newly elected members of the FHSAA Board of Directors along with a reelected member will be ratified at the meeting as well.

The FHSAA Board of Directors General Meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 9 at 9:00 AM at the FHSAA Headquarters located at 1801 NW 80th Blvd in Gainesville.

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