LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Association of School Superintendents, which represents 174 public-school districts in the state, endorsed a plan today that would eventually mean fewer sports contests against private schools.

 

Kentucky’s public and private high schools have been at odds over athletics for at least three years; public schools contend that private schools have an advantage because they can draw their students – and athletes – from large geographic areas, and public schools are much more restricted.

 

The KASS revealed its “schedule reduction” plan today to the Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s 18-member board of control.

 

The wording of the plan:

 

“KASS has endorsed a proposal that would encourage all Kentucky public high schools to no longer enter into any contract to participate in any sports event with any Kentucky non-public high school. Exceptions:

 

“(1) Existing contracts will be honored;

 

“(2) Games that must be played in order to qualify for championship play;

 

“(3) Due to community pressure, continuance of contracts with in-county/close proximity non-publics with long standing positive relationships;

 

“(4) Public schools are encouraged not to invite but may participate in multi-school events that include non-public schools.”

 

KASS executive director Blake Haselton appeared before the KHSAA board about an hour. Afterward, he said

 

“Yes, they just won’t be playing private and parochials unless they have one of those exclusions…. They’ll be playing them in district games that count toward seeding or if it’s required to eligible for district (tournament) play.”

 

“Most schools have already scheduled football and basketball games for next year,” he said. “It’ll be the next year’s scheduling process (2009-10) that is impacted.”

 

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080417/SPORTS05/80417019

Maybe the General Assembly can come up with a NEW special tax such that the Private school parents pay extra for the benefit of the Public schools. Just hummoring of course. I really can't say that anything will be positive from the above decision. The way I see it, 40% of the Public Schools will struggle to be competitive among other Public schools. 50% will remain the same. The remaining 10% will flourish. Is this really fair and beneficial to all "Public School kids" ??? This decision will plant a wedge between Public and Privates, (more so now than ever..) which will create an adverse playing "condition" which will not be in favor of the Publics. I just hope all the parents get on the band wagon at the Public schools and help generate the funds which will be needed to fill the void from loss of revenue (from playing the Privates). Your typical 10% parent participation will not cut the cake. The true effects will be seen a few short years down the road when the CJ reports that the JCPS do not have enough money to buy uniforms or equipment for all of their teams....

Cowards

 

Again a great example for the students you are supposed to be teaching. If it gets to tough then quit.

Cowards

 

Again a great example for the students you are supposed to be teaching. If it gets to tough then quit.

 

Agreed.

A pseudo-official "non-boycott" boycott ... good grief.

If I can't win, surely it must be someone else's fault (??) Or better yet, I can blame it on the infamous "unlevel playing field".

 

It's high school sports folks, not brain surgery.

 

"Can't we all just get along?"

I would be interested to see how many NKY public schools do this? Exception (3) is fairly broad w/ the "in close proximity" clause. Florence is about 14 miles from Newport. Does that allow Boone Co. to play NewCath in basketball and baseball? There should be an exception for public schools that don't want to make excuses and want to play the top schools in their area.

Does this apply only to football? Surely most publics don't want to take T or X off the roster for basketball.

I am glad to see this! Good news at last.

Perhaps the Superindendents can tackle global warming next

I am glad to see this! Good news at last.

 

You're happy that public school superintendents are cowards?

Maybe my alma mater (public school) can pick up some games with competitive private schools then since they'll have some spots open on the schedule thanks to the 174 cowards.:ylsuper:

^ Sieze the financial opportunity when it exist. It may not be around forever.....

Since this is an encouragement to adhere to the policy, what are the ramifications for those who choose not to apply?

Didn't Bob Schneider from Newport Central Catholic predict this when complaining to the Lexington Christian group (who still do not think they did nothing wrong)?

 

Many of you hate to hear this but guess who runs education in this state in terms of operation and policy? Its not the Dept. of Ed, school boards or the KHSAA. It is the superintendents.

 

I predict as this plays out you will find a move to totally revamp and overtake the KHSAA and it will become an entity controlled by the superintendent's association, not athletic directors.

 

The end result will be resolved issues with much harder sanctions for those who violate the rules.