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WCSD to attend meeting on PIAA reform

In addition to Eisenhower, Warren and Youngsville, nearly 20 more District 10 schools will be in attendance, and at least three more District 9 schools will join Sheffield at the meeting.

Competitive imbalance has been a hot button issue all spring. A survey completed by many District 10 schools showed an overwhelming majority felt the playing field favored non-boundary schools. Surveys done in District 7 (WPIAL) showed most schools were in favor of creating separate playoff systems for public/boundary and private/non-boundary schools. Farrell was among many school districts that approved a motion to amend PIAA classifications to level the competition arena.

In an effort to address the issue, the PIAA approved stringent new transfer rules and created a competitive balance formula. The transfer rule states that students who transfer following their freshman year must sit out postseason play, in any sport in which they competed that year, for one calendar year. The formula applies a point system to each level of PIAA playoffs for football and basketball and counts total transfer athletes. Any team accumulating six or more points and reaching a transfer threshold (six for football, three for basketball) in a 2-year cycle, will automatically be bumped up a classification in the next cycle.

Those measures aren’t enough for some members. Rich indicated to PennLive that separate playoffs for public and private schools is the only way forward.

The issue there, the PIAA argues, is a 1972 state law that says private schools must be included in the PIAA if they so desire. But even the interpretation of the law is up for debate.

“The 1972 law allows membership,” Rich said. “The 1972 law does not articulate competition. Non-boundary, private, parochial and charter schools can be members and can play against boundary schools during the regular season. But the PIAA has it in its authority to separate playoff competition, but chooses not to.”

The WCSD hasn’t taken an official position on the issue, but today’s meeting could change that.

“I anticipate conversation with the board at the next committee meetings on (July 30),” Stewart said.

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