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VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) The focus group presented the three-class basketball proposal to the NDHSAA Board of Directors at a meeting in Valley City on December 1st.  Following a comment period with school administrators from our member schools, the board held discussion regarding the three-class proposal and ultimately agreed upon the next steps that will likely lead into a board decision on February 8th, 2023.
For the past six months, the focus group has followed a strict procedure of the NDHSAA.  This procedure (see attached) requires the administration at NDHSAA to complete a finance and staffing study prior to the plan being approved or denied by the board. The association now has until February 8th to complete this study and bring back information to the board. I believe the board will be prepared to make a decision on the three-class plan at the meeting on February 8th.
Despite what you may read online or hear on the radio/television, the three-class basketball proposal is moving forward in North Dakota. As a NDHSAA Board Member, I believe it is important that the board follows its own procedure and completes the required finance and staffing study.
In Valley City, we know the best place for our Hi-Liner student-athletes competing in high school basketball is NOT against Fargo Davies or Barnes County North but against schools and teams of similar size (Central Cass, Devils Lake, etc…).  If you have any questions or comments regarding the three-class basketball proposal, please contact me.  Thank you for your continued interest with this important topic in North Dakota.
It has been 59 years since three-class ended in North Dakota (1963-Class C).  Rome wasn’t built overnight, neither will the three-class basketball plan. The future is bright for basketball in Valley City, Barnes County North, Maple Valley, and the other member schools in North Dakota.
Sincerely, Josh Johnson, NDHSAA Board Member and Superintendent of the Valley City Public School District.