Bernard Childress, executive director of the TSSAA.MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Less than two months after voting down a complete split along public/private school lines, the TSSAA Legislative Council voted in several proposals that could lead to a majority of private schools that currently play in the public school league (Division I) to have to move to Division II.
During a special called meeting at the DoubleTree Hotel here, the nine-member council took steps toward answering the outcry from the majority of its member public schools.
Under the new rules, any school that charges tuition can not offer student employment, more commonly known as work study, to the student or anyone in their immediate family and remain in Division I. Also, it will be considered financial aid if any loan, grant, educational foundation or similar program established in whole or in part, by a school for a student/athlete.
The new rules apply to both private schools and public schools that charge tuition.
“So long as the student’s family pays the tuition they would be okay,” TSSAA executive director Bernard Childress said. “But if there is financial assistance provided by the school, then that school must play in Division II.”