IHSA Board Adjusts Classification Cycle; Releases Statement At December Meeting

Statement from the IHSA Board of Directors

“The IHSA Board of Directors has heard the concerns from the public, and more importantly, from our member schools in the days since the completion of the IHSA’s fall state tournaments. As a Board, we recognize certain trends and data within IHSA sports and activities that lead us to believe that some changes are necessary. It is fundamental to understand that the IHSA’s rules are made up of two subsets:

1. IHSA Board Policy.

2. IHSA By-laws.

IHSA Board Policy can be adjusted by the IHSA Board of Directors, while IHSA By-Laws require the vote of the IHSA member schools.

The Board took action at its meeting on Monday, December 9 to begin using a one-year classification cycle in 2025-26, ending the use of the current two-year cycle. The IHSA will use enrollments collected by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) in September of 2024 to determine each school’s classification enrollment for the 2025-26 school year.

Throughout 2025, the Board plans to delve deeper into all aspects that impact IHSA classifications. It is our hope that we can achieve consensus to both adjust Board Policy prior to the 2025-26 school year, and bring forth a by-law proposal or proposals to the membership during the 2025-26 legislative process.

Throughout the fall, administrators from numerous member high schools across the state have engaged with the Board. We appreciate all communication, respect each point of view that has been offered, and will consider all ideas that have been provided.

The passion evoked by constituents in their communications to the Board are tangible proof that high school sports and activities remain a fabric of our high school communities, and that the work of the IHSA is as important today as it was in 1900.

We remain committed to working with the IHSA member high schools to provide the best experience we can for all who compete in IHSA sports and activities.”

ACTION ITEMS

1. The Board approved a recommendation to accept the IHSA’s annual audit as it was presented by members of the accounting firm, Striegel Knobloch & Company, LLC. The audit can be reviewed by clicking here.

2. The Board approved a recommendation to move to a one-year State Series classification cycle beginning in 2025-26.

APPEALS & ELIGIBILITY RULINGS

1. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Batavia High School. The student was ruled ineligible for not meeting the requirements of IHSA By-law 3.045.

2. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Bloomington High School. The student was ruled ineligible for not meeting the requirements of IHSA By-law 3.047.

3. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Benet Academy in Lisle. The student was ruled ineligible for not meeting the requirements of IHSA By-law 3.043.3.

4. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Anna-Jonesboro High School. The student was ruled ineligible for not meeting the requirements of IHSA By-law 3.030.5.

The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Christ the King in Chicago. The student was ruled ineligible for not meeting the requirements of IHSA By-law 3.043.3.6.

The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Harvest Christian Academy in Elgin. The student was ruled ineligible for not meeting the requirements of IHSA By-law 3.043.3.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

At each meeting of the Board of Directors, there are certain items the Board discusses, but upon which no action is taken. The following is a report of those items from the December 9, 2024, agenda:

1. The Board discussed potentially developing a policy that would allow for the IHSA to partner with third-party groups that conduct state tournaments in Illinois in sports and activities that the IHSA does not currently offer. If developed and approved, the policy would allow a third-party group to continue to operate its state tournament, with the IHSA providing awards and support.

2. The Board heard a presentation from administrators from LeRoy High School and Tri-Valley High School in Downs regarding the IHSA Classification Policy.

3. The Board heard a presentation from administrators from Argenta-Oreana High School on scheduling change considerations to the IHSA Soccer State Series schedule.

4. The Board heard a report on the nine proposals forwarded by the IHSA Legislative Commission to the all-school ballot. IHSA member schools will vote on the nine proposals through December 16.

5. The Board reviewed and discussed a proposal from Moline High School and East Moline High School to amend Policy 18 and certain elements to State Series hosting and seeding in team-bracketed sports.

6. The Board discussed ways to better work with and include Superintendents in IHSA business moving forward.

7. The Board heard a report on the IHSA attendance at the Illinois Association of School Boards conference in 2024.

8. The Board heard a report on the upcoming 11 States Meeting that will be held in conjunction with the NIAA Meeting, as well as the NFHS Winter Meeting and the Let’s Connect meeting.

9. The Board discussed the straw poll voting process at IHSA Town Hall Meetings.