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Wednesday, September 26, 2001
Miller, Moody could fall to 4A
Enrollment losses pose a problem for school board
By Venessa Santos-Garza
Caller-Times
   As University Interscholastic League reclassification approaches this fall, the Corpus Christi school board will be faced with difficult choices, including decisions involving sports and other competition.
   Based on enrollment losses, Miller and Moody high schools could each be dropped in classification from 5A to 4A by the 2002 -2003 school year. That would split the uniform 5A class that all five district high schools compete in now, officials said.
   Districts, which are re-evaluated every two years, must report enrollment numbers to the UIL by Oct. 30. But classifications won't be announced until February, school officials said.
   The board is considering several long-term options to level the playing field for all schools, including redistricting and tougher student transfer rules.
   Last year UIL took the first 225 schools with 1,865 students or more and classified them as 5A. Miller fell under the fault line with 1,704 students and Moody barely slipped by the cut at 1,918. UIL standards are expected to go up again this year as they have in the past. This year's enrollment at Miller hit 1,587 and was 1,797 at Moody.
   Some of the declines at Miller can be attributed to buyouts in the neighborhood. Officials are uncertain why enrollment is declining at Moody.
   "We could appeal if we don't like where we are placed. It was done once before with Miller during the last alignment," said Richard Avila, Corpus Christi Independent School District athletic director . To be in a 4A conference, schools must have an enrollment of between 845 and 1,864. "Principals at Miller and Moody have asked to be allowed to stay 4A if they are moved down a class. There are some positive sides and some negative sides to both situations."
   Dropping in classification would be positive for Miller and Moody from the standpoint of less travel and travel expenses and because there are several 4A schools in the area.
   Another bonus of reclassification could be a better chance at district titles for area schools.
   "They would be competing on an even level," Avila said.
   Moody and Miller would still compete against area rivals in non-conference games.
   But without Miller and Moody in 5A, it would mean more travel for Carroll, King and Ray High Schools, having the opposite effect on sports.
   "We have to consider a lot more than just athletics," board vice president Manuel Flores said. "What about the other activities like debate or theater? Or what about students who compete in literary competitions? They would be going a lot further also."
   Avila said student transfers play a big part in campus enrollment numbers and he would like to see rules stepped up a notch. UIL rules currently prohibit students transferring to another high school from playing varsity sports for one year.
   "We would like to see that changed to two years," Avila said. "The board can adopt a policy to do that."
   The district could also consider realigning school boundaries to even out the population and keep all five schools above the 1,865 mark.
   "The plan could alleviate some other issues the district is having such as over crowding at some schools and empty classrooms at others," board president Vicky Rothschild said.
   But the process to change boundary lines could take months and wouldn't have any effect on the upcoming UIL decision, Superintendent Jesus Chavez warned.
   "Redrawing boundaries is a complicated process," Chavez told the board. "We would have to have community involvement, public hearings, and readings. We are talking about at least six months."


Contact Venessa Santos-Garza at 886-3752 or santosv@caller.com

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