WOW - lot to comment on this. My previous thoughts on this are documented. If a kid (hopefully not a parent) wants or desire to be at another school, then so be it. Where this gets very tricky is when said 'private school' gives the student a scholarship. I am nto speaking fo the kid that qualifies for a scholarship. I am speaking of the kid, that's has the funds to attend, and is being looked at by many schools, but said private school comes knocking and says you can come here for nothing, whereas the other school says I can vet you here for half. That is the major challenge.
In regard to public schools - let it be open. Kids grow up now playing in different leagues (without boundaries) and then High School comes, and they are restricted based on where they live. If a family is willing to drive a kid to school, form practice and back all summer and then the fall - well then good luck. That is a commitment. Yes it changes when they are older enough to drive, but it is a huge commit to the parent that lives even 20 minutes away. Now I know your going to tell me about busing and all that, but there is no such thing int eh summer for workouts and after practice etc. You want to make that commit, good luck.
Like I mentioned above, kids play in all different leagues regardless of the sport, and 3 of their buddies are going to this school or that school and they are building something, yet they can't under certain rules.
Times have changed - the days of a certain public school being really good in a certain sport, will be that way because of the development of their youth program. And yes, along the way they will get the kids that live outside of the district because they want to be there, and what that program offers. It's just fact. Keep in mind, these young 7th and 8th graders still have to develop, or they sit regardless. At least at a good program with good coaches.
As for the 11/12th grader. There are too many loopholes. My suggestion is one of 2 options. You can either transfer once in your 4 years. Or you have to stay at a school for 2 years before you can transfer again. So, if a kid comes in as a freshman and goes to x school. He has to stay thru his junior year before he can transfer again. On the flip side, if a kid transfers after his sophomore year, he is done as that would be his one transfer as he would not be eligible under this rule to transfer again, as his 2 years going forward would be at the next school. Hope this makes sense. Its something I see the NCAA going to shortly - something will have to be done there as well.
Back to the DIAA stuff. I do not apologize for them, they are a mess (I think getting better). Whatever they come up with there will be issues. What I will say is make it clean - these are the rules - full stop. There is no gray. Facts are that under the transition format the previous board to this year, they had no choice but to let everyone do what they want. Rules are too gray and they are not in a position to set standards. They are now. Set the standard and be done with it. You have a problem with it, go to another state.
Back to competitive balance - please stop. Coaching will help that, and make it better, not perfect. Teams/AD's, Coaches that look 5 years out can build and will build. Those that don't take that approach will struggle forever. Every team and I mean every team has some talent. Build off of that, get in the gym, weight room, build a culture. Kids are still kids. Yes they want to win, but when they are freshman and see that they are getting some TLC and growing something, they will stay. What's the saying, build it and they will come.
