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WIAA Conference Realignment Task Force gives initial approval to nine of 14 requests

12/12/2019, 3:00pm CST
By WIAA

From the WIAA -- 

The Conference Realignment Task Force assembled and reviewed 14 applications in the first meeting under the new realignment process Wednesday at the Executive Staff office.

The schools requesting relief from their current conference affiliation, included Ashland, Campbellsport, Cristo Rey Jesuit, Delavan-Darien, Eastbrook Academy, Faith Christian (Williams Bay), St. Anthony, St. Croix Falls, Salam, Tenor, University Lake School, Veritas, West De Pere and Westfield.

Nine of the 14 applications received unanimous approval from all schools directly impacted by the request and will be fast tracked to the Board for approval at its meeting on March 6, 2020. Those applications on the fast track are Cristo Rey Jesuit, Eastbrook Academy, Faith Christian (Williams Bay), St. Anthony, St. Croix Falls, Salam, Tenor, University Lake School and Veritas.

The Task Force has denied, pending possible appeals heard at the Jan. 8, 2020, requests from Ashland, Campbellsport, Delavan-Darien, West De Pere and Westfield. In review and consideration of each of these requests, the Task Force identified incomplete or deficient information provided in the application as rationale for denial.

The Task Force will reconvene on Jan. 8 to hear appeals from schools that had their requests denied, as well as receive input from member schools impacted by the results of the review. Successful appeals will be communicated with the membership and re-evaluated by the Task Force. If the revised solutions are approved, they will be submitted to the Board of Control for consideration with any modifications and solutions communicated to the membership.

The intent of the new conference realignment process is to apply a more formalized method for member schools to request relief from conference affiliations. A committee of member school administrators has been established to evaluate all realignment requests and present them to the Board, which retains the authority to make final determinations of all conference alignment decisions.

The new collaborative model adds structure, enhanced communication and transparency to the realignment process. All levels of school administration at each member school are informed of the committee’s deliberations and decisions.

The conference realignment webpage containing all information regarding realignment requests is accessible on the Conference Realignment “Requests and Proposals” page on the WIAA website.

Requests Approved

  • Cristo Rey Jesuit - Conference leaving:  None (Independent); Conference entering: Lake City Conference (newly formed)
  • Eastbrook Academy - Conference leaving:  Indian Trails; Conference entering: Lake City Conference (newly formed)
  • Faith Christian (Williams Bay) - Conference leaving:  Indian Trails; Conference entering: Lake City Conference (newly formed)
  • St. Anthony - Conference leaving:  Indian Trails; Conference entering: Lake City Conference (newly formed)
  • St. Croix Falls - Conference leaving:  Lakeland; Conference entering: Heart O' North
  • Salam - Conference leaving:  None (Independent); Conference entering: Lake City Conference (newly formed)
  • Tenor - Conference leaving:  None (Independent); Conference entering: Lake City Conference (newly formed)
  • University Lake School - Conference leaving:  Indian Trails; Conference entering: Lake City Conference (newly formed)
  • Veritas - Conference leaving:  None (Independent); Conference entering: Lake City Conference (newly formed)

Requests Denied

The WIAA Conference Realignment Task Force provided the following rationale and information for the five requests that were denied.

The WIAA Realignment Task Force has denied, pending possible appeals heard at the January 8 Task Force meeting, the following requests:

Ashland
Decision:  Initial recommendation to not move forward as submitted due to incomplete application.

Vote: No 15  Yes 0  Proposal will not move forward as submitted.

Rationale for not moving forward:

  • Request is incomplete.
  • Need official proof of conversation/action with Heart O’ North Conference.
  • Documentation from 6 affected schools that did not provide position statement.

Campbellsport
Decision:  Initial recommendation to not move forward as submitted due to incomplete application.

Vote:  No  15  Yes 0  Proposal will not move forward as submitted.

Rationale for not moving forward:

  • Viable realignment options need to be created for the committee to evaluate.
  • There is no solution provided for the East Central Conference to change from an eight to seven school conference. 
  • Need formal vote or documentation from East Central Conference.
  • Need updated/current documentation from Wisconsin Flyway Conference. 

Delavan-Darien
Decision:  Initial recommendation to not move forward as submitted due to incomplete application.

Vote:  No  15  Yes 0  Proposal will not move forward as submitted.

Rationale for not moving forward:

  • Provide any impact of demographics on participation rates, have the demographics had any significant change in the past five years and do you suspect any further changes?
  • Provide more information, provide a conference statement/discussion points or shared information, would like input on stances of principal and superintendent positions.
  • Need notification of other schools affected by the solution, need to contact them and talk prior to submitting the application.
  • Need position statements from all affected schools.

Westfield
Decision:  Initial recommendation to not move forward due to an incomplete application.

Vote:  No  14  Yes  0  Abstention 1  Proposal will not move forward as submitted.

Rationale for not moving forward:

  • Need position statements from all affected schools.
  • Need position statements from South Central Conference or the other conferences and stance on conferences that are gaining teams from the proposal (Flyway Conference, Coulee Conference, Central Wisconsin).
  • Need to provide a proposal for the entire South Central Conference.

West De Pere:
Decision:  Initial recommendation is to not move forward due to an incomplete application.

Vote:  No  15  Yes 0  Proposal will not move forward as submitted.

Rationale for not moving forward:

  • North Eastern Conference schools must be involved in discussions and decision making and documentation provided. 
  • Provide considerations that have been made regarding scheduling for the proposed 11 team Fox River Classic Conference.  
  • Need position statements from the Bay Conference and North Eastern Conference with possible alternatives for impacted conferences.
  • Need position statements from all affected schools.
  • The Realignment Task Force will convene on Wednesday, January 8, 2020.  Member schools affected will have the opportunity to be heard.  The Task Force will finalize and submit proposals to the Board of Control following this meeting.

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