The issue of whether boundary and non-boundary schools should compete for the same state championship will be brought up next week in a special hearing in Pittsburgh.
The hearing will focus on several issues related to high school sports playoffs, including what defines a boundary and a non-boundary school. Traditionally, a boundary school would be a public school, while a non-boundary school would be a private or charter school. Non-boundary schools have been able to recruit students from public schools and from outside the state, and many have seen this as an unfair advantage. One option that has been brought up has been separate championships between boundary and non-boundary schools, and classifications.
In late July, over 150 public school superintendents, athletic directors, and coaches met in State College to discuss the issues amongst themselves. The group said that the schools were given no opportunity to provide input to move from four classifications to six, and no input on the changing of eligibility rules and adjustments in classifications based on a school’s success.
The PIAA issued a statement saying that they would address the group’s issues when they were forwarded through the proper channels.
Offering testimony will be PIAA representatives and some school district superintendents. The hearing before State Representative Gene DiGirolamo of Bucks County will be Wednesday at Heinz Field.
