IHSAA advances vote on classifying football teams in part to socioeconomic factors

(ABC 6 News) — The Iowa High School Athletic Association has sent an amendment to a vote of membership next week involving how football teams will be classified.

The amendment proposes the classification of teams based partially on socioeconomic factors.

Per the IHSAA, “a recommendation from the IHSAA’s classification committee last week to adopt a classification model similar to one currently used by the Minnesota State High School League – reducing 40 percent of a school’s free or reduced lunch count from their annual enrollment to determine their final classification number – was approved by the Board of Control on Monday.”

Classifications in Iowa are currently based on enrollment. The association will vote on the matter between December 16 and 24; if approved, the amendment could go into effect as soon as the 2023-24 school year.