Reclassification Process Still Far From Finish Line

The Georgia High School Association’s Executive Committee approved a reclassification plan for its 451 member schools on Monday, August 17, 2015 at its regularly scheduled meeting in Macon. The Committee’s action puts in place the frame work for distribution of schools for the next four years (2016-2020).

Here are the basic components of the plan:

• Seven classifications, with a public / private split (for playoffs) in the smallest division.

• There would be eight championships in the “power ranked” sports of football, softball, basketball and baseball.

• The number of championships in other sports and activities would be decided by the GHSA office.

• The classification made up of the largest schools would contain approximately 44 schools (about 10% of the membership).

• A threshold for out-of-county students was established at 3%. Schools with a larger percentage of out-of-county students would be required to move up one classification.

• The schools in the public/private classification, in the large classification, and in the next smaller classification would not be subject to the requirement to move up. Schools would not be required to move into the largest classification.

• Schools in the “middle 5 classes” would be separated using a percentage of 19% - 21% for each classification.

• If schools are moved up because of the out-of-county threshold, smaller schools in that classification would be given the opportunity to move down.

Historically the Reclassification plan involves a series of steps in order to reach the final ratification in January. Here ishow the process should progress:

• Private schools turn in their enrollment figures on September 15.

• Public schools’ and charter schools’ FTE counts collected from the Department of Education (late October).

• All schools ranked by FTE, enrollments and/or out-of-county thresholds. Schools will then have an opportunity to appeal their enrollment or FTE numbers.

• The individual classifications will be designated and schools will have the opportunity to opt to play up in classification.

• Region assignments will be made. Schools will have an opportunity to appeal the assignment and ask for lateral transfers within that classification.

• The Reclassification Committee will vote on the plan after all appeals have been heard and settled.

• The full Executive Committee will hear appeals from schools still not satisfied with their region assignment.

• The final plan its ratified by the Executive Committee.

Schools then meet (January, 2016) to organize their new regions and create athletics schedules for 2016-18.

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Gary Phillips, Executive Director