Last week, the Iowa Department of Education approved an amendment that was recommended by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. 

The amendment would allow for socioeconomic status to be considered when classifying high schools for football. The one factor with that is the amount of students that are on free and reduced lunch. The proposal was made by IHSSA and voted on by public school districts, with a total of 263 of the 365 schools participating. Of those that voted, 80-percent were in favor. 

One of those schools was Greene County High School, and Activities Director Dave Wright talks about whether or not this change would impact their football team.

“I believe it potentially will because we probably, more than likely, were going to be bumped up to (Class) 3A next year. Our freshmen, sophomore, junior classes are decent size and we’re going to be up in enrollment in this building. So we’re always towards the top of (Class) 2A. There’s a good chance we would’ve been 3A and I think we’ll still be right on that line but it does benefit us from that standpoint potentially keeping us in 2A.”  

According to the school district, about 43-percent of high school students are on free or reduced lunch. Since the Department of Education approved the amendment, it will be implemented for next football season.