Dalton, Gordon Lee to keep familiarity

The Georgia High School Association rescinded a motion Tuesday that had allowed schools to not count special-needs students in their official enrollment figures. With adjusted numbers in hand, the association then assigned schools to classifications for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 academic years.

For the first time the GHSA is expanding to six classes, though no northwest Georgia schools will be in the top two. Two area schools are in different classes from earlier projections.

With the introduction of the Morris Innovative School as an alternative for students, Dalton's numbers were down by more than 500 students, so the Catamounts will compete in Class AAAA. Also, Gordon Lee, which had expected to be placed in Class AA, will remain in Class A after its numbers put it at the very top of that classification.

"It did kind of surprise us because we were prepared to play in Class Double-A," Gordon Lee principal Clay Crowder said. "We could play up, but we will remain in Class A because we feel it gives us a better chance to compete with schools our size."

If Dalton's original projection had remained, it would have been the only school north of Marietta above AAAA. Now it likely will be in a region with several natural rivals, including Northwest Whitfield, Ridgeland, Southeast Whitfield, Heritage and LaFayette.

"The GHSA was able to project the expanding programming at the Morris Innovative School, which will allow Dalton to remain in a more local region," Dalton athletic director Ron Ward said. "This is great news for us in that we get to play our rivals and significantly reduce our travel."

Catoosa County rivals Ringgold and Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe will be reunited in Class AAA, where they likely will join Sonoraville, Coahulla Creek and North Murray in a region. The big news in Class AA is that Calhoun will remain in that class, joined by Dade County, Chattooga and Murray County.

The GHSA warned its members that if a school exceeds enrollment numbers by more than 10 percent next year it will be forced to play a nonregion schedule and would not be eligible for postseason play in any sport.

Schools have until Dec. 5 to petition to play up or to appeal their placement.

Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296.