News: VHSL Realignment Model Still on Track Despite Reservations, Especially from Eastern and Central AAA Regions; Region II Unanimously For 6-Classification Plan

(March 2, 2012) - The Virginia High School League realignment proposal for 2013-15, which would radically alter the high school sports landscape in the state is still on track after the Realignment and Reclassification Committee met on Feb. 27.

While there were some minor changes approved, including the splitting of the Dulles District into two districts -- a seven-team Dulles District and new five-team Potomac Disrict -- the VHSL is moving ahead -- despite objections from the larger schools in the Eastern and Central regions -- with a model for play in the state in six classifications for all sports and the elimination of the current A, AA and AAA model based upon regions.

A new postseason plan, with a new conference level above districts, feeding into sectionals and then states would have to be approved. The proposed plan is especially supported among the smaller schools in the state at the current A and AA levels with Region II, which hosts nine of the 12 Loudoun schools currently, voting unanimously for the plan thus far.

Revised #VSHL Aligment Model for 2013-2015

R&R Committee Minutes

February 27, 2012
9:30 a.m.
I.      Roll Call:  Dave Melton, Chairman, Fredericksburg City Superintendent; Jeff Crook, Central Region, Patrick Henry, High School (Ashland); Mike Nichols, Eastern Region, Heritage High School (Newport News); Tim Thomas, Northern Region, Westfield High School; David Cassady, Northwest Region, C. D. Hylton High School; Ronnie Lowman, Region I, Courtland High School; Major Warner, Region II, Kettle Run High School; Stephen Leaman, Region III, Broadway High School; Steve Spangler, Region IV, Cave Spring High School; Stan Latham, Region A, Sussex  High School; Steve Barnett, Region B, Riverheads High School; Danny Knott, Region C, Eastern Montgomery High School; Larry Compton, Region D, Haysi High School; and Ken Tilley, VHSL.

Others:  Lora Bickley, recording secretary, Tom Dolan, Tom Zimorski, VHSL; John Otley, William Fleming High School, Patricia Sheedy, Patrick Henry High School (R), T. J. Shepardson and Jon Crutchfield, Franklin County High School, Mike Minter, Magna Vista High School, Todd Pudham, Patrick County High School, Ron Proffitt, Bassett High School, Tommy Golding, Martinsville High School, Mark Rowicki and Clay Chandler R. E. Lee (Staunton) High School, Will Fields and Anthony Kidd, Bath County High School, Kelly Lowe, Narrows High School, Wayne Shelton, George Washington High School, Allen Lawter and Michael Lewis, Halifax County High School and Sal Colangelo, C. D. Hylton High School.

II.      Minutes from February 2, 2012, meeting: Larry Compton moved, Danny Knott seconded and the committee voted 12‐0 to approve the minutes from the February 2 meeting as presented.  Jeff Crook asked for clarification of the perception that the entire R&R Committee was in favor of the six‐classification proposal.  No vote was taken on this issue at the February 2 meeting but Major Warner had stated that the R&R Committee needed to be  “committed” to working on this proposal.  Jeff Crook clarified that Central Region is opposed to six classifications.

III.     Agenda approval:  Steve Spangler moved, Tim Thomas seconded and the committee voted 12‐0 to approve  the agenda as presented.

IV.     Reports from Regions and Executive Committee: Executive Director Tilley reported from the Executive Committee and indicated that the committee received the minutes from the February 2 meeting, the initial six‐classification model, the modification requests, and the work done by the Ad Hoc Playoff/Postseason Study Group.  They also were provided with letters from Eastern Region, Central Region and Region I voicing their dissatisfaction with the six‐classification proposal.  The inability to provide specific answers to certain segments of the proposal still causes concern. There was consensus from the Executive Committee for the three‐classification spread.  In regard to the four‐classification spread, consideration could be given for not requiring this in football.  Since the Executive Committee meeting several new requests have been received and are in the R&R members’ folders. Steve Barnett reported that the Executive Committee put this process in motion in December.  He did not feel any Executive Committee member was opposed to continuing with the process,  although he did acknowledge that the Central and Eastern representatives on the Executive Committee noted that their regions were not in  favor of six classifications.

Northwestern Region David Cassady reported that the region still has concerns over geography, travel and realignment.  He will discuss Prince William County schools’ request for one district later in the agenda.          
           
Northern Region Tim Thomas noted his region has concerns over governance, finances, travel and overall questions that remain unanswered.           

Eastern Region  Mike Nichols indicated that his region is opposed to the six‐classification model
and is concerned over finances and districts (being maintained) and unanswered questions.
           
Central Region    Jeff Crook reported that in a straw vote his region is against the six‐classification
model by a 30‐0‐4 vote.  No specific reasons were given but their biggest questions deal
with allowing the region to change their districts around.
            
Region I     Ronnie Lowman indicated that two of the three districts in Region I are opposed to the six‐classification model due to not having full information.           

Region II    Major Warner noted a lot of work has been done up to this point.  His region voted unanimously in support of moving forward this six‐classification model.  They have financial concerns but realize there are a lot of unanswered questions.
            
Region III    Stephen Leaman reported concerns in his region over the spread in Seminole District with Franklin County being added to the district.  Most of the discussion centered around not having the total picture.  They are concerned if the district tournaments are eliminated (finances).  They are not opposed to the six‐classification model, but Rustburg has issue with the inclusion of Franklin County in the Seminole District.  Additionally, R. E. Lee because of their 2A classification desires to be in Shenandoah District.
     
Region IV    Steve Spangler indicated his region came to the consensus to dissolve the Southwest District, leaving two districts in Region IV.  Expects concerns once the conferences are released.  However, they are prepared to move forward with the six‐classification model.
           
Region A Stan Latham noted that his region overall is satisfied with the proposal and is excited.
           
Region B Steve Barnett reported that his region is pleased with the six‐classification model. They have concerns over Chesterfield Community School, and the region is opposed to them coming back into the region.
           
Region C     Danny Knott indicated his region supports the six‐classification model but the smaller schools have concerns that the 475 cap is too high.
           
Region D     Larry Compton noted his region is satisfied with the six‐classification model and we should move forward with the plan we have knowing that it will need to be tweaked down the road.
         
Dr. Melton indicated that the same issues continue to be noted, but we need to know what the specific
concerns are.  Answers can be addressed if specific questions are asked rather than merely indicating “we don’t like the plan due to travel and financial concerns”.  The Executive Committee will need to address the questions. The R&R Committee has done what was asked of them and the regions have brought back concerns. Stephen Leaman noted that post season play appears out of R&R’s control.  R&R is charged with assigning districts but has no control over the conferences.  Ken Tilley reported that the Ad Hoc Playoff/Postseason Study Group only recommended a structure.Dr. Melton hopes that when the R&R representatives go back to their regions after this modification meeting that representative will request their regions to provide them with specific feedback about what questions need to be answered.

Steve Barnett reported that he is opposed to small conferences.  The regular season schedule has no effect on
how you advance.  Group A had a positive experience in football even with travel but they played new teams
which generated excitement.  He noted we should address the modification requests then work on adjusting the conferences.  He feels there should be more schools in the conferences.  The R&R Committee should place schools first in their districts and then work on the next level placement, conferences.

There was sentiment for the R&R Committee to meet with the Ad Hoc Playoff/Postseason Study Group when they meet April 16.

David Cassady noted this is a positive approach and the conferences are a necessary document. Schools rely on their districts to give them enough games.  A provision needs to be in place to protect schools at
a disadvantage when assigned to a district where they can’t get games.

V.      Review of materials:
         A.  Initial Proposed Alignment Plan
         B.  Listing of September 30 Membership Figures
         C.  Present alignment – 2011‐12 and 2012‐13
         D.  New letters regarding alignment

VI.     Action on modification proposals:
• Danny Knott moved, and the request died for lack of a second, to re-set the cap for 1A at 425 or 400 or 375 instead of 475 from Bland County Superintendent and Bath County AD; Narrows principal and
coaches; and Covington football coach. Therefore, the cap for 1A remains at 475.

• The two proposed options from the Brunswick AD died for lack of motion which would have kept schools as initially assigned to Tri-Rivers or reconfigure Tri-Rivers to include an East (Franklin, Surry, Sussex and
Windsor) and a West (Brunswick, Greensville, Park View and Southampton) Division – this would pull Park
View from James River District. Therefore, there are no changes to Tri-Rivers.

• Major Warner moved, Steve Barnett seconded and the committee voted12-0 to approve Manassas Park’s
request to be assigned to Bull Run District instead of Evergreen District.

• Steve Barnett moved, Stan Latham seconded and the committee voted 9-2-1 (Leaman and Crook voting no; Nichols abstaining) to approve Region 8 superintendents and James River District schools request to
reassign Chesterfield Community from the James River District.

• Stan Latham moved, Steve Barnett seconded and the committee voted 8-1-3 (Crook voting no; Nichols,
Leaman, Spangler abstaining) to assign Chesterfield Community School to Central District.

• Steve Barnett moved, Major Warner seconded and the committee voted10-0-2 (Thomas and Cassady
abstaining) to deny Robert E. Lee (Staunton) requested assignment to Shenandoah District instead of Valley
District.

• Steve Spangler moved, Larry Compton seconded and the committee voted 3-5-4 (Leaman, Spangler and
Compton voting yes; Warner, Nichols, Thomas, Cassady abstaining) to approve Marion’s request to be
assigned to Hogohegee District instead of Southwest District; Hogoheegee votes 4-2 against this assignment.
Thus the motion failed.

• Steve Spangler moved, Larry Compton seconded and the committee voted 12-0 to approve Richlands’
request to be assigned to Clinch Mountain District (along with Abingdon and Tazewell) instead of Southwest
District.

• Steve Barnett moved, Major Warner seconded and the committee voted 10-0-2 (Spangler and Compton
abstaining) to assign Marion to Clinch Mountain District.

• Major Warner moved, David Cassady seconded and the committee voted12-0 to approve Loudoun County schools’ request to be assigned to Dulles District (Dominion, Heritage, John Champe, Loudoun County, Loudoun Valley, Park View and Woodgrove) and form a new Potomac District (Briar Woods, Broad Run, Freedom, Potomac Falls and Tuscarora).

• Noted Rustburg’s request for reconsideration of assignment of Franklin County to Seminole District.

• Noted Franklin County’s proposal of three options:
(a) Create a new district in geographic area comprising 6A, 5A and 4A schools or
(b) When there is a single school in its classification that is more than two classes from any other school,
require schools within four classification levels to play each other and
(c) Place Patrick Henry (Roanoke) and Franklin County in the same district

• Stephen Leaman moved that Franklin County be reassigned from Seminole District to Piedmont District.
The motion died for lack of a second.

• David Cassady moved, Steve Leaman seconded and the committee voted 5-5-2 (Leaman, Warner, Lowman, Crook, Cassady voting yes; Nichols and Thomas abstaining) to reassign Franklin County from Seminole District to River Ridge District. R&R Chairman David Melton broke the tie with an affirmative vote, thus approving the motion 6-5-2.

• Carroll County’s request that it be required to play only Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Pulaski in the River
Ridge District died for lack of a motion.

• Patrick County’s request that it not be required to play Halifax County in the Piedmont District died for lack of a motion.

• Jeff Crook moved, Stan Latham seconded and the committee voted 12-0 to approve Glen Allen’s request
that it be designated a 4A school to reflect the additional class of students added since it opened (projecting
1408 students instead of 1100).

• Dave Cassady moved, Tim Thomas seconded and the committee voted 12-0 to combine the Cardinal and
Cedar Run districts into one 11-team district (to be named Cardinal District) with the following schools:
Battlefield, Forest Park, Freedom (PW), Gar-Field, Hylton, C.D., Stonewall Jackson, Osbourn, Osbourn Park, Patriot, Potomac, Woodbridge).

• Reviewed letters from Battlefield District, Bay Rivers District, Eastern Region, Beach District, Southeastern
District and Peninsula District noting their concerns with the six-classification model.

• Varina’s request that it be designated as a 5A school because of changes in enrollment and L. C. Bird’s
request that its numbers be adjusted were tabled since a final assignment will be made using March 31, 2012
ADM, and those numbers are not available yet, so there is no actual impact at this time.
Steve Spangler moved, Stephen Leaman seconded and the committee voted 11-1 (Jeff Crook voting no) to adopt the Ad Hoc Committee’s recommendation that a district play no more than a three-classification spread in regular season play in any sport (unless schools choose to play above the three-classification spread).
Danny Knott moved, David Cassady seconded and the committee voted 11‐1 (Crook voting no) to report the plan as modified to the membership and Executive Committee.VII.   R&R timeline:

• The modified plan will be posted for membership information prior to the March meetings.

• R&R Committee will meet with the Ad Hoc Playoff/Postseason Study Group on April 16.

• R&R Committee will meet August 8 (9:30 a.m.) to produce an alignment plan using March 31, 2012 ADM.

• R&R Committee will meet September 11 (tentative time 9:00 a.m.) to consider final appeals; after acting on appeals, the committee will present its final plan with justification for Executive Committee approval in September.  A school may then appeal the Redistricting and Reclassification Committee’s decision to the
Executive Committee.  No hearing shall be conducted by the Executive Committee in response to the appeal.
Instead, the Executive Committee’s review of the appeal shall be limited to an evaluation of the written
record of the original appeal as published in the appendix of the Redistricting and Reclassification plan.  The
Executive Committee shall then issue its decision in response to all such appeals as amendments to its final
motion to approve the formal RRC plan.  The VHSL’s Executive Director shall inform each appellant school of the Executive Committee’s decision.  The decision of the Executive Committee shall be final.

VIII.      Business from the floor:
It was the consensus of the R&R Committee that it would be helpful if they met with the Ad Hoc
Playoff/Postseason Study Committee at its April 16 meeting.  Arrangements will be made accordingly.
The committee worked on the Conference Model provided to them and made adjustments as necessary.  A
revised listing will be shared with the committee and at the March 8 open session.  Ken Tilley announced that a presentation will be made at the open session dealing with classification, playoffs, governance and finances.
Also a panel will be available to answer questions.  The panel will consist of the following:
Susan Bechtol, Churchland High School, VHSL Chair‐elect, Executive Committee and
Ad Hoc Classification Task Force Thomas Taylor, Charlottesville High School, Executive Committee and Ad Hoc Classification Task Force Steve Barnett, Riverheads High School, Executive Committee and R&R representative  Tom Horn, George Mason High School, Executive Committee and Ad Hoc Classification Task Force Tim Thomas, Westfield High School, R&R representative

Dr. Melton asked the representatives to provide feedback or comments from the meeting today:

Region D Larry Compton indicated while we are still not finished in this process, we need to continue moving forward to present a model and answer as many concerns and/or questions as we can.

Region C Danny Knott noted that we need to continue moving forward with the knowledge that
we will have “bumps in the road” but reminded the committee how well the system worked in football for Group A.

Region B Steve Barnett said he is pleased and to continue moving in the direction of a six‐classification format.  The more the plan is discussed, the more we get closer to a consensus each time.  We want the plan to be as balanced and competitive as we can get it.

Region A Stan Latham said he is pleased with how things are developing with each meeting.

Region IV Steve Spangler noted this is a work in progress and we should also be contacting our coaches to get their opinions on the model.

Region III Stephen Leaman indicated once the playoff situation is ironed out the more people will
have a better grasp of what will take place with the new model.

Region II Major Warner said we need to continue to press forward.  We as a committee have a
dual role in this and have to remember what is best for the kids is not always what is
best for our individual schools and the kids are what we are all about.

Region I Ronnie Lowman said his first time on the committee was very eye‐opening and to see
how the plan evolved to where it is today.  He feels strongly that the R&R Committee
should meet jointly with the Ad Hoc Playoff/Postseason Study Group on April 16.

Central Region Jeff Crook reported that Central Region is opposed to the six‐classification plan.  They
like the way we are now and how we operate and questioned if six divisions couldn’t do
essentially the same thing that a six‐classification will do without upsetting the entire
system.

Eastern Region Mike Nichols indicated that getting the information out quickly is essential but Eastern
Region is opposed to six classifications.

Northern Region Tim Thomas indicated that he and Steve Barnett are on the panel for the open session
on Thursday, March 8.   If there are any points that committee members want to have
shared during that time, let him know.  The Northern Region still has some reservations.

Northwest Region: David Cassady said this is a process and when you serve on the committee we have to
take responsibility and indicate we made certain decisions.  When individuals advise us they have problems with the model, advise them to give us specifics so we can address their concerns.  He will encourage individuals to express specific concerns in order to gain a better knowledge of what objections exist.

Dr. Melton felt that progress has been made and communication is the key to help with the understanding of
this process.  Those who have concerns need to be specific in communicating them to the League office or their  committee representatives.

IX.        Adjournment:  There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:06 p.m.