By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

The Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Directors voted Tuesday to create a Rural Division for public and private schools.

The division would  be comprised of high schools in communities which have been designated as rural by the Office of  Tourism, Trade and Economic Development.

The new division would indirectly Osceola County Schools if reclassification in November changed the districts of local Class A FHSAA members Southland Christian, City of Life Academy and Life Christian Academy.

The creation of the Rural Division is contingent upon the approval of a majority of potential members.

The Rural Division is being created to give small high schools an opportunity to compete against opponents of roughly equal talent.

Many administrators at small high schools have complained that they are forced to compete against opponents, primarily small private schools, who offer scholarships and attract international athletes. Those private schools recently have dominated the FHSAA state series in sports such as basketball and baseball.

The Rural Division will be limited to the team sports of baseball, volleyball, basketball, softball, football and soccer.

Potential members must commit to fielding teams in all of those sports in order to join the new division, FHSAA Executive Director Roger Dearing said.

“This was a vote that helps 40 to 50 schools, and hurts no one,” Dearing said after the board of directors took action.

The FHSAA board did not act on recommendations that would have further addressed private schools’ ability to attract international athletes.

The Urban/Rural Committee suggested that the FHSAA consider implementing a “clearinghouse” for international student eligibility similar to one that screens member schools for accreditation.

Another proposal that would have based each school’s classification on the student population for all grade levels (6-12) was denied.

FHSAA schools are classified by the total number of students in grades 9-12. Private school students may participate at the varsity level beginning in the sixth grade.

Among other items, the board approved  new language to the policy of  investigation that states that allegations made against another school within 45 days of the beginning of the state series may not be investigated fully prior to the conclusion of the championship series.

The board also stated that member schools that intentionally withhold information impacting state series participation shall be considered unethical and unsportsmanlike and such conduct will be addressed under current FHSAA bylaws.

Last season, Bartow High administrators waited until late in the football season to turn in evidence that district opponent Kathleen had an ineligible player on its roster. Kathleen forfeited several district victories and missed the playoffs.