The Alabama High School Athletic Association Central Board of Control has approved a new classification system for the 2026–27 and 2027–28 school years, which will restructure how schools are grouped for postseason competition. The change prompted a public response from Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth.
Under the plan approved by the board, the AHSAA will move away from its current seven-classification model, which it began using during the 2014-2015 school year. Now, public schools will be placed into six classifications, while private, or independent, schools will compete in two classifications based strictly on enrollment.
The ruling also eliminates both the 1.35 enrollment multiplier and the competitive balance factor applied to private schools since 2018. In its announcement, the AHSAA said the reclassification is consistent with its constitution and bylaws and is intended to provide “additional championship opportunities” while continuing regular-season competition between public and private schools.
“The landscape of education-based athletics in Alabama is changing, and the AHSAA must continue to adapt,” said Heath Harmon, executive director of the AHSAA. “After careful review – and after listening to our public and private school members – the Central Board determined that now is an appropriate time to restructure championship play, resulting in restructured championships for public and private schools. This model will be implemented for the next two years.”
The association emphasized that it remains a single governing body and that championship events will continue to be conducted by the AHSAA, even though postseason brackets will be organized separately under the new alignment.
Ainsworth responded to the decision in a series of posts on social media, sharply criticizing the board and its leadership.
“I’m confident that AHSAA Executive Director Heath Harmon and the governing board will be remembered for extinguishing the flame of competitiveness and abandoning any effort at simple fairness and good sportsmanship under their watch,” said Ainsworth.
Ainsworth said he had heard from schools across the state that the changes would not produce the promised balance.
“It opens a never-ending maze of issues and problems, and my phone, texts, and emails have been flooded with messages of concern from coaches, school administrators, and parents in both public schools and private schools alike. Alabama will soon be one of only eight states in the nation that does not allow public and private schools to compete against each other,” said Ainsworth.
He also criticized those involved in crafting the plan, saying some decision-makers “care only about winning championships, not about the high school athletes they are supposed to serve.”
He also criticized the way regional alignments are structured under the new plan, saying it creates mismatches that disadvantage smaller or developing programs.
According to Ainsworth, removing more than 60 private school teams from playoff regions creates wider disparities in school size within regions. Ainsworth cited schools in Marshall County, noting that Douglas, Boaz, and Arab high schools, each with student populations in the mid-500s, are now classified alongside much larger schools. He pointed specifically to Clay-Chalkville High School, the defending 6A state champion with a student population of more than 900.
“It is an unfair, unsportsmanlike, uncompetitive flaw that is a direct result of eliminating private schools from these groups, and once again, it does an incredible disservice to the student athletes that the AHSAA is supposed to serve and support,” said Ainsworth.
Ainsworth also raised concerns about the broader effects of the reclassification on travel, finances, and academics. He said longer road trips for regional games could reduce gate revenues, disrupt traditional rivalries and increase transportation costs for schools. He added that increased travel could lead to students missing more class time and place additional burdens on families, particularly parents and grandparents who may need to take time off work to attend games.
In his posts, Ainsworth also warned that the new system could encourage the formation of more “super teams,” both public and private, by drawing student-athletes toward schools with greater financial resources, facilities and coaching staffs. He said this outcome would worsen the competitive imbalance that the AHSAA has said it is trying to address.
AHSAA officials have defended the vote as the result of years of discussion among member schools and said the changes reflect ongoing efforts to address enrollment shifts and competitive concerns across the state.
“As always, it was a difficult job, but everyone worked together to find the best solution as we move forward. We believe this is a strong plan, but as with every cycle, we will listen to our membership and make adjustments as needed,” said Harmon.
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