Wichita, Kansas (KWCH) – A proposal from the Kansas State High School Activity Association (KSHSAA) seeks to address what appears to be an imbalance between public and private school athletics.
Earlier this year, the majority of KSHSAA member schools approved the multiplier, which is now being reviewed by the State Board of Education. The multiplier applies to private schools where he has won five or more state team championships in all sports over the past five years.
If so, move up at least one class in the KSHSAA classification. So effectively a 4A private school he transitions to 5A. Currently, all public and private school classifications are based solely on student enrollment.
Jeff Hines, principal of Paola High School just outside the Kansas City metropolitan area, said he’s been digging into the issue for at least a decade and has data to back up the problem.
“Even though private schools in the state have less than 8% membership, they win nearly 40% of the championships,” says Hines. “He should expect 8% of the school to win about 8% of championships.
What Hines described as a competitive imbalance in favor of some private schools prompted Hines to look for a solution. He supports his KSHSAA multiplier which is currently proposed.
“This is a first ever in terms of addressing competitive imbalances and hopefully for Kansas student-athletes and activity participants to create a post-season tournament series that is truly fair for all. It’s the furthest thing,” Hines said.
Under this proposal, select private schools that have won five state team championships in all sports in the last five years will move schools to the next highest class after KSHSAA, which starts with a 1.0 multiplier and tops out at 6A. . There are other factors that are weighted, such as another championship factor that could make it even bigger. There are also geographic demographic and socioeconomic factors that can increase the multiplier.
“More than half of Kansas’ private schools will not be affected in any way or form by this proposal,” Hines said.
One of the private schools is Wichita’s Kapaun Mount Carmel High School, which goes from 5A to 6A.
“Of the approximately 2,000 children who have attended Kapaun (in five years), 28 in five years have to win two women’s golf championships, two men’s golf championships, bowling and tennis (champions). The children’s success seems pointless, said Marty Straub, Kapaun Mount Carmel Athletic Director.
Straub said this was largely in response to a handful of private schools in the Kansas City area winning state championships.
“At the end of the day, it’s really about children. It’s not about adult egos, and I think all these discussions ended up focusing on adult frustrations,” Straub said. I got
He said a handful of schools have problems with perceived competitive imbalances.
“If they’re not following the rules, if they’re recruiting, if they’re exercising undue influence, if they’re doing those things, the rest of the state doesn’t have to bear the burden. There is none.
To pass, the multiplier needs approval from the state school board, which it plans to address at its September meeting. The Kansas Legislature also has to approve this before it goes into effect, and legislators won’t be back until January.
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