Could grievance filed in AHSAA classifications affect W.S. Neal?

Published 3:36 pm Wednesday, January 22, 2014

UPDATE: Coaches may have to wait a little longer to see where their teams fall in the new realignment reclassification after Houston Academy filed a grievance with the Alabama High School Athletic Association this afternoon, Andalusia coach Brian Seymore said, according to a report from Andalusia Star-News sports editor Andrew Garner.

Seymore said HA filed the agrievance because incorrect enrollment numbers were released to the State Board of Education.

Earlier today, the AHSAA’s Central Board of Control approved a proposal to add a seventh classification for championship play at its winter meeting for the 2014-15 and 2015-16 schools years.

HA’s recent enrollment numbers indicate that the Dothan private school has 263.25 students in grades 10-12. The increase in the number of students bumped the school up to Class 3A after today’s vote.

As a result of the grievance filed, it could change some school’s classification and alignment for the next two years.

Seymore, who heard of the news about HA approximately two hours ago, said this happened two years ago when Pope John Paul II’s numbers were incorrect, which sent the Bulldogs back to Region 1 from 2. AHS was put back in Region 2 after the board’s meeting today.

Seymore said more than likely, Escambia County will drop back down to 4A from 5A, and W.S. Neal will go back down to 3A. Straughn, now a Class 4A team, will not be affected, but will have to reschedule its annual meeting with AHS.

More updates will be posted here as this story unfolds, and check out tomorrow’s paper for an update.