|
 The Virginia High School League is a big step closer to moving from three classifications to six while significantly reshaping current district alignments, beginning in the 2013-14 school year.
An ad hoc task force of the VHSL Executive Committee on Wednesday released data from a Dec. 19 meeting that sets parameters for the first major realignment of VHSL schools since 1970, when the league adopted the current three-classification system.
The task force's proposal - which will be presented to the full Executive Committee for a vote Feb. 22 and final approval in April - scrapped a three-classification realignment plan developed in November and called for the following changes:
-- Six divisions (6A, 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A).
-- A ceiling of 475 students in grades nine through 12 based on March 31, 2012, enrollment figures for the smallest division (1A).
-- Dividing the number of schools in the five larger -classifications into equal fifths while not allowing schools to choose to "play up" in a higher enrollment group.
-- Aligning schools in districts that "are not inherently tied to classification," directing the VHSL redistricting and reclassification committee to place schools based on "balance, geography and preferences" and that "enrollment disparity will no longer be crucial as a determining factor."
-- A span of no more than three classifications between schools that make up a district.
-- Eliminating the current regional setup in favor of a new state playoff system.
"This ... promises to be the most significant step the league has taken in more than 40 years," VHSL Executive Director Ken Tilley said in a statement.
"Among the concerns that exist within our current system of division play is that disparities are created when schools are allowed to play up in classification and by setting divisions on a region basis rather than separating divisions statewide.
"The six-classification format recommended by the task force greatly reduces size disparities among the classes and eliminates regions altogether." |
