Arkansas Activities Association's annual meeting results in changes for 2024-25 school year

All eight proposals passed

By Kyle Sutherland 

The Arkansas Activities Association met Monday afternoon in Little Rock at the Statehouse Convention Center for their annual governing body meeting regarding eight proposals for the 2024-25 school year. 

Proposals No. 7 and 8 were the two that had the greatest impact on Arkansas prep athletics. No. 7 focuses on the amount of teams allowed per classification, while No. 8 focuses more on the Competitive Equity Factor. 

All schools were able to vote and each of those two proposals required two-thirds majority of the vote in order to pass. 

Proposal No. 7 passed with a 145-44 result, while No. 8 passed 172-19. 

Per the AAA's release, here are the details of each proposal: 

Proposal No. 7

NEW COMPETITIVE EQUITY - FOOTBALL

FROM: ACTIVITY DISTRICT 7

2024-2025 AAA HANDBOOK: ARTICLE II, SECTION 5, RULE 3, PAGE 27

AMEND TO READ

Football Classification - Classification of schools for football shall be as follows:

Class 7A — The largest 16 football playing public schools by ADM and nonpublic schools assigned by Competitive Equity Factor (for a total of 16).

Class 6A — The next largest 16 football playing public schools by ADM and nonpublic schools assigned by Competitive Equity Factor (for a total of 16).

Class 5A — The next largest 32 football playing public schools by ADM and nonpublic schools assigned by Competitive Equity Factor (for a total of 32).

Class 4A — The next largest 48 football playing public schools by ADM and nonpublic schools assigned by Competitive Equity Factor (for a total of 48).

Class 3A — The next largest 48 football playing public schools by ADM and nonpublic schools assigned by Competitive Equity Factor (for a total of 48).

Class 2A — The remainder of football playing public schools and nonpublic schools assigned by Competitive Equity Factor.

PURPOSE

To allow for an even number in each football conference in addition to reevaluating classification limits by enrollment.

EFFECTIVE DATE

2024-2025 school year.

CONSTITUTION

Requires 2/3 vote.

VOTING

All high schools may vote.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS

No Recommendation (18-0)

EXPLANATION FOR BOARD’S RECOMMENDATION

Let the schools decide. 

Proposal No. 8

COMPETITIVE EQUITY – 2 YEAR LOOKBACK

FROM: AAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2024-2025 AAA HANDBOOK

ARTICLE II, SECTION 5, RULE 2-3, PAGE 26-28

AMEND TO READ

Rule 2. The ADM of schools with students all of one gender shall be doubled for classification purposes. The nonpublic school enrollment figures shall be taken from a school’s report to ANSAA and shall be a three-year average of the October 1 enrollment. Nonpublic schools having 80 or more students in grades 9-11 shall be moved up one class when classifying schools then specific sports adjusted based on the Competitive Equity Factor. Calculations for the Competitive Equity Factor will take place after the conclusion of each specific sport during the final year of the current cycle. Adjustments made in classification due to Competitive Equity Factor are effective for the 2 year cycle.

AMEND TO READ

Rule 3. 

Point System for Baseball, Basketball, Football, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball.

Points will be awarded for the 2 years previous to the classification cycle. Specific sports will only be awarded points for the highest point category achieved. For example, if a specific sport is a state finalist, the specific sport would earn 3 points total for that year. The school would not earn points for a winning record or playoff wins for that season.

Winning Conference Record – 1 point

State Playoff/Tournament Win – 2 points

State Finalist – 3 points

State Champion – 4 points

Placement

0 points – Non-Competitive -

A. Specific sport moves down one classification from the current classification unless the adjustment would classify the specific sport in a classification below their actual enrollment numbers.

1-4 points – Competitive -

A. Specific sport remains in the classification currently assigned.

5+ points – Dominant -

A. Specific sport moves up one classification from the classification currently assigned for the next cycle unless enrollment fluctuations require additional adjustments pursuant to Rule 2.

If a specific sport moves up in classification due to application of the Competitive Equity Factor, the specific sport may move down one classification at the completion of the 2 year cycle if the specific sport earns 0 points during the previous two years. No specific sport classification can be adjusted due to the Competitive Equity Factor more than one classification up or down per cycle.

Nonpublic schools cannot be moved to a classification below what their actual enrollment numbers indicate.

NOTE: Competitive equity calculations will be applied to any nonpublic AAA member school that has previously declared for a specific sport. Competitive equity calculations will not be considered in classification placement for new nonpublic AAA member schools or for existing nonpublic AAA member schools who declare for a specific sport for the first time. Therefore, if they have 80 or more students in grades 9-11, they will participate one classification higher than their enrollment numbers. Two years of data from the two years previous to the classification cycle as a AAA member school in each specific sport is used to apply the competitive equity factor.

Point system for Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Wrestling.

Nonpublic schools having 80 or more students in grades 9-11 shall move up one class when classifying schools. The following point system would allow for nonpublic schools in these specific sports to;

A. Continue to participate in the classification as assigned.

B. Move up another classification if the school is dominant.

Points will be awarded for the 2 years previous to the classification cycle.

State Runner Up - 3 Points

State Champion - 4 Points

Placement

4+ points - Dominant -. Specific sport moves up one classification from the classification currently assigned for the next cycle unless enrollment fluctuations require additional adjustments pursuant to Rule 2.

If a specific sport moves up in classification due to the Competitive Equity Factor, the specific sport may move back down at the completion of the 2 year cycle if the specific sport earns 0 points during the previous two years.

Nonpublic schools cannot be moved to a classification below what their actual enrollment numbers indicate.

NOTE: Competitive equity calculations will be applied to any nonpublic AAA member school that has previously declared for a specific sport. Competitive equity calculations will not be considered in classification placement for new nonpublic AAA member schools or for existing nonpublic AAA member schools who declare for a specific sport for the first time. Therefore, if they have 80 or more students in grades 9-11, they will participate one classification higher than their enrollment numbers. Two years of data from the two years previous to the classification cycle as a AAA member school in each specific sport is used to apply the competitive equity factor.

PURPOSE

To effectively administer the Competitive Equity Factor Plan on a consistent two year basis for nonpublic schools instead of a 4 year basis.

EFFECTIVE DATE

2024-2025 school year.

CONSTITUTION

Requires 2/3 vote.

VOTING

All high schools may vote.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS

Do Pass (17-1).

EXPLANATION FOR BOARD’S RECOMMENDATION

Same as purpose.

Full Results of the 2023 Governing Body Vote

Proposal No. 1 - Junior High Travel 

All junior high schools can vote, majority required 

102-0 For

Proposal No. 2 - Coaches Education 

All schools can vote, majority required 

293-2 For 

Proposal No. 3 - Financial Aid - Service Providers 

All schools can vote, majority required 

274-15 For 

Proposal No. 4 - Electronic Distribution 

All schools can vote, majority required 

295-0 For 

Proposal No. 5 - Non-Athletic Activities - National Contests/ Events 

All schools can vote, majority required

288-1

Proposal No. 6 - 4A Baseball, Basketball, Softball Conferences 

All schools can vote, 2/3 majority required

185-4

Additional details of these six proposals can be viewed here.