The Georgia High School Association passed its most radical legislation in more than 10 years Tuesday, voting to expand from five to six classifications to divide the state’s 433 member schools for athletic competition, effective July 2012.
Here are some questions and answers about the controversial reclassification:
Q. Why was reclassification needed?
A. More than more 50 schools have been constructed and/or joined the GHSA since the last reclassification, which was expanding from four to five classifications before the 2000 season. There was pressure on the GHSA to come up with a new plan to better address geographical, economical and competitive concerns with the existing structure.
Q. If going to six classes was such a great idea, why did it pass by only a slim 26-24 vote?
A. There is speculation that some opponents voted against because another reclassification plan was rejected earlier in the same meeting, that some didn’t know enough about it yet to completely support it, that some were outright against it, and that some were fine with remaining with the current system of five classes.
Q. What if one more person had voted against it and there was a 25-25 tie? What would’ve happened?
A. In a tie, the six-classification plan would’ve failed and the GHSA would’ve stuck with five classes.
Q. Was this a legal vote by the GHSA?
A. Even though this was a special meeting to vote on another reclassification plan, the GHSA’s attorney rendered a decision that the full committee could discuss and vote on other plans, based on his interpretation of the GHSA constitution.
Q. Why did Charlton County athletic director Jessie Crews want to log a challenge to interpretation of the GHSA constitution? What will be the result of the challenge?
A. On the surface, it appears that Crews, a member of the executive committee, simply wanted it to be “officially on the record” that he was against the interpretation. GHSA officials are unaware of any legal ramifications from the challenge, but it remains to be seen.
Q. What would need to happen to terminate the new plan and vote all over again?
A. According to the GHSA, an executive-committee member on the prevailing side would have to ask for the matter to be reconsidered at the August meeting. Then the full committee would vote whether or not it should be reconsidered. After that, it is unclear whether the full committee could vote on other plans at that time or if it would have to go back to the reclassification committee to discuss and present again.
Q. Is this a done deal? Are we definitely going to six classes in the fall of 2012?
A. The short answers: Very likely and very likely. However, the GHSA can reverse anything it voted to approve at the next meeting.
Q. What’s the biggest source of confusion about the new plan?
A. There is mass confusion over the “hypothetical” classifications and regions that were provided as a demonstration on how it might look. That was based on old student enrollment numbers. No one will really know how the schools will be divided into the six classes until the new full-time enrollment reports in October.
Q. What are the next steps?
A. In late October, the GHSA will divide schools into six classes, and members have two weeks to apply to play in a higher classification. In mid-November, each classification will be divided into eight regions, with schools permitted two weeks to appeal. By early December, the reclassification committee will issue a proposal to be voted upon and ratified by the full board in January 2012.
