GAINESVILLE - The Florida High School Athletic Association board of directors approved a plan Monday that adds an eighth classification for football beginning next season. Class A, the state's smallest, will be split into two groups like 2A is currently.
"I am pleased that we are doing something to benefit the smaller schools," board president Sam Ward said. "I think it will make for a safer and more competitive environment."
Also, classifications will be recalculated every four years in an effort to bring additional stability to the scheduling process. Rather than reclassify all schools after two years as done previously, only schools that have a 20 percent increase or decrease in student population will be reclassified.
Classification assignments for 2005 will be announced Dec.3.
