The Arizona Interscholastic Association has decided to shelve the idea of using a multiplier for private school enrollments when assigning schools to conferences — a move that would have forced some schools to move up in class.
The move was supported by a number of public schools, primarily at the 2A level, where private schools have dominated the state playoffs in recent years. But Harold Slemmer, the AIA’s executive director, said a recent survey showed the plan does not have strong overall support from schools statewide.
“Only 56.3 percent of schools supported it,” Slemmer said.
Under the proposed plan, private school enrollments would have been multiplied by 1.5, forcing schools such as Valley Christian to move from 2A to 3A.
The plan had come under fire from Rep. Steven Yarbrough (R-Chandler), a former Valley Christian board member. Yarbrough introduced Arizona HB 2772, which would prohibit any public or charter school in Arizona from contracting with any organization that does not count each student equally. The bill is already on the House floor, awaiting vote, after having passed an initial committee vote.
Slemmer said the bill before the legislature had no bearing on the AIA’s decision to back off the plan.
“I don’t believe so because most of the schools answered the survey before the (bill was introduced),” Slemmer said.
Slemmer added the plan could be considered in the future.
