VALLEY CITY, ND (NewsDakota.com) – The North Dakota High School Activities Association has unanimously voted to subject a three-division plan for basketball to further studies and possible revisions.
Board members agreed to “accept” the plan as written, and subject it to a finance study, with the ability to make changes to the plan during the time it sees it’s studies.
Matt Fetsch, the Executive Secretary of the NDHSAA, stated that the financial study would be “the tip of the iceberg” regarding gathering additional data, stating that venues and staffing are also considerations in implementing a plan. He stated that venues had asked for seven years of advanced notice before committing to hosting events.
Near the end of a lengthy meeting that allowed for public comments from school officials from around the state, including the threat of lawsuits should the plan be approved, and an additional threat of a lawsuit should the plan not be approved, board members sparred over a motion to approve the plan for implementation for the 2023-24 season.
As board members heard details of how quickly those studies could be accomplished, they admitted there was little chance of approving a plan for next season. One board member stated the earliest would be 2024-25.
During the discussion, several board members stated that it was important to bring basketball out of it’s protected status in the NDHSAA bylaws, and give the board the opportunity to make changes after implementation of the plan based on factors that were not working as the focus group intended.
That line of thought morphed into the ability to make changes to the plan during the studies that will be done to evaluate finances and other aspects, leaving the future of the plan in doubt.
Member schools were required to submit a plan to the board of directors that commanded support from at least 60% of the membership. Over 65% of the membership approved of this plan. Should the board of directors make changes, it is unclear of the same level of support would exist after those changes.
Kidder County Superintendent Rick Diegel, a proponent of three classes, made a motion to approve the plan, pending the studies. That motion was rescinded to accepting the plan and asking for the studies, with feedback to occur in February, all but assuring the 2023-24 date of the plan be missed.
Member schools could already consider that a change of the plan, as their support was, in part, based on a 2023-24 start time. Schools that enter, or leave co-operative agreements could experience regional assignment shifts and classification shifts, which would put them in a position where they would no longer support the plan.
Paul Jundt, Bismarck Athletic Director, was the main voice against the plan after testimony was heard from the membership. Jundt, and those that voiced their opposition, stated several times they were “in favor of three classes, just not this plan.”
Gerald Vetter, President, Light of Christ Catholic Schools agreed.
Brice Laxdahl of the Northern Cass School District said the current plan would not benefit their students.
But Dr. Derek Simonsen said the proposed three class basketball plan would benefit the Griggs County Central School District.
Mitch Carlson of LaMoure, a Three-Class Focus Group member said the plan isn’t perfect, but it’s the best to date.
NDHSAA Board member Ned Clooten addressed the question about school districts who did not respond to the three-class system survey.
Once again, nothing was finalized. The NDHSAA board voted to look at further studies and revising the existing proposal for a future three-class basketball system in North Dakota.