The Georgia High School Association's "special meeting" for Tuesday's vote on the controversial issue of reclassification is not looking too special for proponents of the "4/8 Plan."
The plan hasn't seemed to generate much support in the Atlanta area in the two months since it was presented before the GHSA's Executive Committee. The group immediately delayed for voting on the measure so member schools could study it further.
Even the chairman of the reclassification committee, Earl Etheridge, is not so sure about the Tuesday vote, which will be held in Macon.
"It might not be a pretty scene down there," Etheridge said. "In the last week or so, some people that are against it are having meetings to discuss ideas they are going to bring up after the 4/8 vote. In other words, that means that they've already made up their minds. They are not listening to this plan one way or the other.
"It seems like with some, it's about what they want and how they want to do it. But hopefully when entire group votes, they will vote for what's best for the state of Georgia and not their particular high school."
The circumstances surrounding the vote and protocol for meeting of the 50-member Executive Committee are so complex that legal counsel was consulted for interpretation of the GHSA's constitution and bylaws.
If the 4/8 Plan is passed on Tuesday, then implementation will be relatively simple. If it is rejected, the next step may cause confusion. confusion about the ensuing process.
"Our attorney has rendered an opinion that once the subject of reclassification is brought up at Tuesday's meeting, if the proposal is defeated, since it was already up for discussion, the Executive Committee would have several options to exercise at that time," said Dr. Ralph Swearngin, the GHSA's executive director.
It was initially thought that the proposal, if rejected, would go back to the reclassification committee. They would review all plans again and propose one at the GHSA's next regular meeting in August.
However, the Executive Committee has legal clearance to discuss alternatives and take a Tuesday vote on one of them, too.
"Basically, if the 4/8 fails, then the full committee can decide on whatever they want to do next on Tuesday," Swearngin said.
The two other popular reclassification options are expanding from the state's existing five classifications to six or the 3/6 Plan (similar to the 4/8).
"My guess is that everybody on the committee has seen all three plans," Swearngin said. "Of course, everyone could decide let's stay with what we've got right now with five classifications, tweak it a little bit and then go on."
Whatever is decided, whether it come on Tuesday or in August, it will not be implemented until fall 2012.
Under the 4/8, the state’s current system would go to four classifications with two state championships determined per class for an overall total of eight.
The idea behind the 4/8 is to allow member schools to play teams closer in proximity during the regular season and closer in student enrollment during the playoffs. For example, Class AAAA may include 100 schools, with 50 largest and 50 smallest split for the playoffs, competing in Division I and II state tournaments in each sport.
The extra postseason doesn't seem appeal to opponents of the measure.
"Having eight so-called state champions waters down that great accomplishment that many coaches spend their entire careers trying to obtain," McEachern athletic director Jimmy Dorsey said. "Why not develop a system where everyone goes 5-5 and we all hug at the end of the season?"
Roswell athletic director John Coen is also not in favor.
"You don't improve the competitive balance in classifications by creating a system which promotes the ‘everybody gets a trophy' philosophy," he said. "The 4/8 Plan does help solve the travel concern for some member schools but offers little help with the disparity in Class AAAAA enrollments or the disparity between public and private schools in Class A."
Westminster athletic director Rusty Hudson said he was "totally opposed" for a list of reasons, including logistical issues to secure additional venues for the playoffs. He also said it "means more students out of class more often because of the increase in the number of playoff contests."
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