New classification brings economics to IHSAA football

FRL adjustment

"Are we realistically a 4A school and can we compete? He's done such a good job - the answer is yes. But now we're going to be even better off with the ability of that staff and the kids they're developing."”

Jeff Lamb, Fort Madison High School Activities Director

FORT MADISON - A new classification system based on a district's economics could prove to be a boost for area football programs.

Officials close to Fort Madison and Central Lee's football programs are looking closely at the new system that was approved by Iowa high schools earlier this week.

The measure with the Iowa High School Athletic Association, the body that governs boys' high school sports, was put in front of state high schools through Dec. 22. On Dec. 23, IHSAA Executive Director Tom Keating released the results of the polling.

Out of the state's 365 schools, 263 cast a vote on the measure that allows a school to reduce its B.E.D.S. enrollment figure by 40% of the enrollment in the district's free and reduced lunch program in grades 9-11. Those are the grades used to determine the districts' BEDS (Basic Education Data System) number.

Fort Madison Activities Director Jeff Lamb said the move should be promising for the Bloodhounds. Fort Madison's BEDS number is 406 with 45% of students enrolled in the free and reduced lunch program.

That would put 183 students in the FRL program in Fort Madison. 40% would be 73 students. For the 2023-2024 school year that would create a BEDS number for football only at 292.

"It's a big positive and benefit for everyone, in my opinion," Lamb said.

"I am curious to see how the Waukee's and (West Des Moines) Valley's and those teams are put together."

Lamb said his preliminary math shows that the district will again be right on the border of 3A and 4A.

"It's a whole new classificiation. I don't know if we can predict anything at this point," Lamb said. "It drops us quite a bit, but a lot of other schools are dropping, too."

Although the move may not have a large impact on the regular season, the post-season, which typically sends Fort Madison into a metro area, could change dramatically with the wealth concentrated in those areas.

Lamb pointed to some of the schools the Hounds have had to play, such as Iowa City Liberty and Solon, and how the new system could move those districts out of the way.

"If you look at Iowa City Liberty, they're free and reduced is way below ours and judging on how we're competing with them, I think that is why the state is doing what they're doing," he said.

Hounds' Head Coach Derek Doherty said he too favors the new system, but is quick to add the Bloodhounds go and play who they need to go and play.

"We've never backed down from anyone. We just go and play the next team on the schedule," he said.

"I've kinda been lucky as Jeff has been doing all the number crunching on this thing and doing the work. He comes to me anytime he finds something new, but my mentality continues to be we're gonna play where we're gonna play."

The change in the classfiication still needs to be approved by the Iowa State Board of Education at its January meeting, but if that happens Doherty said he believes the Bloodhounds will be back in 3A again in the fall.

Doherty said people are looking hard at the new classification and shared programs will be part of the thought process as well.

He said some schools may rethink shared programs if the new system is implemented. But he said HTC has been an important part of the district's program and loves working with those student-athletes.

Central Lee Superintendent Dr. Andy Crozier who sits on the IHSAA Control Board, said it's too early to make predictions about how it will impact Central Lee.

"We won't know until we see our district. I just can't predict the future impact (to Central Lee).

Lamb said the move will allow people to see just how far the Hound program has come under the leadership of Doherty and his coaching staff.

"One of my favorite sayings is don't complain until you've used what you have to the fullest and Derek has absolutely done that," Lamb said.

"Are we realistically a 4A school and can we compete? He's done such a good job - the answer is yes. But now we're going to be even better off with the ability of that staff and the kids they're developing."