Classification changes coming for private schools in the OSSAA

   As most readers of my column/blog know, we have working to "level the playing field" for public and private schools in the OSSAA since as far back as the 1970's. In 1993, Terry Davidson, superintendent of Wright City Public Schools, even went so far as to question the leadership of the OSSAA (Executive Director Bill Self) in advocating for a private school classification change in the OSSAA. In 2009, several school superintendents began advocating for a private school classification change - which would "level the playing field" for public and private schools in the "Association". Private high schools, having first been admitted to the OSSAA during the 1960's, began winning state championships at an unprecedented rate due to the systemic advantages employed. Advantages such as "selective enrollment" and the "provision of student financial assistance" were utilized to gain dominance of public high schools in Oklahoma. Selective enrollment is the practice of private schools to only enroll students which will ensure the private schools' success, both academically and athletically. Public schools cannot select or reject students based on student academic or athletic success. Student financial assistance is usually in the forms of scholarships, tuition wavers, student grants, work-studies, etc. and are provided to gifted student athletes as a way to entice them to enroll.
   In 2010, the OSSAA Board of Directors voted to allow the membership to vote on the convoluted private school classification system we now have in place. Approximately 80% of the membership voted to implement the private school classification plan, so it became effective beginning in 2012. The classification rule would supposedly "level the playing field" and eliminate private school systemic advantages in the OSSAA, by advancing private schools which met some complicated and convoluted criteria - one enrollment based classification level up. When the Rule was passed in 2010, many public school officials said Advancing private schools up one class level will not level the playing field or eliminate private school advantages in the OSSAA. They (private schools) will find a way to beat the rule. Lo and Behold:
   In 2017, the very same private schools which "gamed the system" before 2012 are still enjoying the same unfair advantages they employed then. The "new" 2012 classification rule did virtually nothing for "leveling the playing field", so a new and better classification rule will be considered by the OSSAA Board of Directors on Wednesday, February 7, at the OSSAA building north of our state capitol. The Board of Directors will simply vote to send the Rule Change out for a vote of the membership... or not. The meeting is open to the public, so we invite anyone with an interest (public or private) to be there.