In Athletics: Publics to Give Privates the Cold Shoulder

This from the Courier-Journal:

Superintendents discourage public schools from playing private schools

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Association of School Superintendents, which represents 174 public-school districts in the state, endorsed a plan today that would eventually mean fewer sports contests against private schools.

Kentucky’s public and private high schools have been at odds over athletics for at least three years; public schools contend that private schools have an advantage because they can draw their students – and athletes – from large geographic areas, and public schools are much more restricted.

The KASS revealed its “schedule reduction” plan today, and their executive director, Blake Haselton, paid a courtesy call on the Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s board of control in the morning to provide details.

The wording of the plan:

“KASS has endorsed a proposal that would encourage all Kentucky public high schools to no longer enter into any contract to participate in any sports event with any Kentucky non-public high school. Exceptions:“

(1) Existing contracts will be honored;“

(2) Games that must be played in order to qualify for championship play;“

(3) Due to community pressure, continuance of contracts with in-county/close proximity non-publics with long standing positive relationships;“

(4) Public schools are encouraged not to invite but may participate in
multi-school events that include non-public schools.”

Jefferson County Public Schools superintendent Sheldon Berman said that the
concerns are "viable and serious" but he said Louisville public schools aren't
participating.“At this point we’re not specifically going to do anything other
than what we’re doing,” he said.

Haselton appeared before the KHSAA board about an hour. Afterward, he
said:“Yes, they just won’t be playing private and parochials unless they have
one of those exclusions…. They’ll be playing them in district games that count
toward seeding or if it’s required to eligible for district (tournament)
play.”Haselton added that many schools already have scheduled football and
basketball games for next season and the impact would be greater the following
year.