MSSportsGuy

Yes, and that started with the numbers from the 2023-25 reclassification cycle. Here is the link found on the MHSAA page. https://www.misshsaa.com/2022/11/03/2023-25-reclassification-enrollment-numbers/ At the top of the list before schools are listed, this indicates grades 9-11 are counted. There is a pretty steep drop off in numbers among several schools.

How about go back to 6 classes but cap the total number of schools in 6A and 5A at 24 to keep the "gap" from being so large? Current 7A would just be 6A, current 6A would be 5A, then have 48 schools per class for 4A, 3A, and 2A? It would allow the 8 regions have six schools per region for a total of 48 in those classes and then 1A gets the left-over. Nah, makes too much sense and doesn't give the association enough money.

As long as excitement has been increased then I guess 7 classes is worth it.

Now that the numbers have been released there appears to be much less movement than anticipated across some of the schools. However, to get an idea how much the overall school enrollment has dropped, look back at the number of some of these places when 7 classes were implemented. Most of the schools I've spot checked lost students, even in the larger areas. It's to be expected in some of the smaller, more rural communities that are hanging on by a thread and sometimes in the smaller classifications, a big or small class can move the needle. Here are some very interesting numbers, at least to me: During the 2022 relclassifcation, St. Patrick reported 334 and for 2026 it's 275. That's a steep drop off for a private school in a relatively high population area. Sacred Heart had 135 and now 107, French Camp 112 to 84, Resurrection 113 to 90. We will never know MAIS figures but I wonder if it's them, more homeschooling, or if the decline in the number of students who were born is that significant.

Well per the director 7 classes was needed to increase excitement. I guess having 5 team regions and only one of those teams not make the playoffs accomplishes that.

Those 6 classes numbers don’t increase excitement.

Just thinking out loud but in 1A you have Tupelo Christian and Resurrection on two different ends of the state. That's one place it wouldn't work. I don't think this is the problem some schools are making this out to be. What have these schools won in the grand scheme of the association? Not much compared to some public schools. Unfair? Maybe, but I'm not sure anything in life can ever be completely fair.

I'd say the private schools pushed back big time. The fact is these schools have competed for years in the association and while some have been very successful in several sports, it wasn't until PCS beat Booneville in the baseball finals last season that it was ever mentioned. It was short sighted, knee jerk reaction by the MHSAA. A similar thing happened years back when Cathedral, St.Al, and Greenville St Joe's left for the MAIS because they could no longer allow kids to play who lived across the river in Arkansas and Louisiana. Again, a knee jerk reaction by a few upset coaches in the MHSAA. I'm glad the MHSAA has reversed the ruling for now. Now, to get us back to 5 classes among the remaining member schools.

It would be good for 1A to just have 4 regions again and not have such spread out/thin schedules.

Wheeler is north of Baldwyn in Prentiss County. Booneville is a district and so is Baldwyn. Prentiss County Schools are Wheeler, Thrasher, Jumpertown and New Site, with Marietta and Hills Chapel both being K-8 schools that feed into New Site for 9-12.

As a native of Northeast MS, they are a section of the state that has resisted consolidation. Falkner and Walnut merging into North Tippah has been a civil war and they are only 8 miles apart with very similar student bodies. I agree there is a lot of school consolidation that "should" take place but local boards often don't want to make the tough calls for political reasons. Some of these small schools are due to being in separate districts and that's always been my bigger issue. Thrasher HS and Booneville HS are 5.5 miles apart but in different districts. Wheeler is 6 miles from Baldwyn but again, different districts. Hatley and Amory are about 5 miles apart as well but different districts. Unless district consolidation happens, there won't be any movement on those fronts. That's just a small sample, but indicative of a larger issue.

Things change of course but I truly don't see the state intervening in local school closures. Districts yes, and many are needed but not schools within the districts. Covington County only has one district already and while Mt. Olive and Collins consolidation may be needed, the board hasn't decided to pull the trigger for whatever reason. Next year is an election year and I don't actually look for any monumental legislation period.

Don't you remember it was to increase excitement?

I can't imagine any will be looking to join with the new multiplier. The association was very short sighted when they told the river parochial schools they couldn't have athletes from across the border. It's not like Cathedra, St. Al, or Greenville St. Joe's were powerhouse programs and teams year in and year out in most sports. Like most things (7 classes....) a few coaches and admins got their boxers in a twist and leadership reacted.

It's tough to judge the borderline schools because just a few students who opt out or in of a school can change them. I believe the numbers MDE puts on their site reflect the October figures from last year and aren't updated during that year. I could be wrong and if so, educate me please. Just remember putting two schools who are maybe five students apart and close to one another geographically in different classes and divisions is done to increase excitement, just like making 7 classes. There is so much more excitement now than before it's impossible to contain (sarcasm). Wonder if the 1.5 multiplier will increase that excitement even more?