Most of the time the word proposal comes with an expected yes, but at least one proposal today was not one of matrimony so a yes vote was not all that automatic.
Proposal #7 before the Arkansas Activities Association's member schools in the annual AAA summer meetings, passed by a count of 145-44 late this afternoon.
That represents 76.7 percent of the vote on the proposal which required a 2/3 vote, or 127 of the 189 votes cast for passage.
The proposal requires the AAA to establish classifications of 7A 16 schools, 6A 16 schools, 5A 32 schools, 4A 48 schools, 3A 48 schools, 2A the remaining 11-man playing schools.
Earlier this year the AAA constructed classifications based on those numbers but did so using only public schools, which was the procedure for the current cycle – and that meant Booneville would be the second smallest Class 4A school for the playing cycle which begins in 2024.
For this cycle the private schools were slotted through the competitive equity formula. That created a 19-team Class 6A, 33 in 5A, and so forth.
This proposal will mandate that the private schools will push down the lower end of the classification by the same number of institutions in the class to reestablish the multiple of 8 in size. In the case of 6A it would be three schools, specifically Jacksonville, Searcy, and Texarkana.
That process then trickles down where the addition of Shiloh to 5A, and Harding Academy and Central Arkansas Christian to 4A would push, perhaps, six schools into 3A, among them Booneville.
Booneville Schools Athletic Director Josh Walker was on hand for the vote and was not dissatisfied with the result but believes Bearcat athletics would have proceeded with business regardless the outcome.
“I know our kids and coaches will compete wherever we land,” said Walker. “It only makes sense to add the private schools back in before determining classifications and conferences for even numbers and scheduling.
"Historically, that's how we've done it, and now we're going back to it. Along with the competitive equity factor, we're on the road to fair competition for our kids. "
Those moving from Class 4A to 3A would be Glen Rose, Booneville, Rivercrest, Newport, McGehee, and, possibly Mayflower.
There caveat with Mayflower is that if CAC’s competitive equity formula score remains a zero – the Mustangs were 2-8 in 2022 – then Mayflower would remain in 4A and CAC would be permitted to move down.
That is because Proposal 8 also passed today. That proposal resets the equity formula to a two-year evaluation period with 5 or more points sending a private school up in classification. Proposal 8 passed with an overwhelming 172-19 vote, or 90 percent.
The formula had been a four-year period with 10 points necessary to be considered dominant and the school forced to move up a class.
Through the equity formula private schools winning a title are assessed four points, a runner-up is assessed three, a playoff win nets two points, and a winning conference record one point.
After two years any private school with five or more points moves up, those with 1-4 points stay in their current assignment, and those with zero points can move down a class, provided it does not fall below its normal class enrollment.
Shiloh and Harding both reached a state title game and are at 3 now. Little Rock Christian reached the playoffs and is at 2. Catholic also reached the playoffs and could, with success this year, play itself back into 7A.
What could affect the opposite end of the enrollment range in 3A would be if Conway Christian or Little Rock Episcopal were to win a 2A title they would then have the points to move to 3A.
Only football is affected by today's Proposal 7 vote, but Proposal 8 effects all sports so, for instance, Harding Academy has 4 points in baseball for having won a state title and would play itself into 4A with a winning conference record next spring.
PROPOSAL PASSAGE PUSHES BEARCAT FOOTBALL BACK INTO 3A
