2010 District Athletic Reclassification

Peggy Johnson, the district's athletics director is talking to the school board about the GHSA reclassification process.

The 2010 reclassification will last for 4 years, which is new this year. Schools will not be placed below the class dictated by its enrollment or be forced to play at a higher class than it naturally falls. Each of the district's schools has the opportunity to file a petition to play at a higher class within the 2 week period stated by the GHSA. The principal must sign a petitiont to compete at a higher classification. The school board does not have a say in which classification each school chooses.

The current classification is 3-AAAAA, which includes all 7 of the district's high schools, Bradwell and Camden. All SCCPSS are competing at a higher classification than dictated by their student population. With this classification, each school travels a maximum of 178 miles to compete.

Based on student enrollment, schools will fall in different classifications. Groves, Jenkins and Johnson High Schools would be in AAAA, Beach High School, Savannah High and Windsor Forest High fall in AAA while Savannah Arts Academy and the new high school fall into AA.

If the principals decide to move into different classifications, the schools will not play each other in football because there are only 10 games.

Johnson met with the principals at each of the schools and explained the traditional regions, competitive balance and historic rivalries, finances, fans and support and instructional time, which would be affected by travel time.

Johnson says there will be funding if the schools move up to 4-AAAA. Johnson says there is enough money from gate fees and that if the board passes sponsorships because Johnson has a sponsor who would pay for hotel accommodations. If you don't have the facilities, the GHSA does not care if you have to be on the road for back to back weeks/games.

In Mid-November, the Georgia High School Association will place schools in regions. On January 12, 2010, the reclassification of schools will be posted on the GHSA website.