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Suwanee AD: State Too Small for Class 6-A

The GHSA approves adding a new class and rejects the 4/8 plan for the 2012-13 school year.

Suwanee high schools could join a new Class AAAAAA for the 2012-13 school year, but not everyone thinks it's a good idea.

North Gwinnett High Athletic Director Mark Karen said he thinks Georgia is too small to add a Class AAAAAA.

"It wasn't that long ago that we only had four classes," he said. "Five was perfect for this state."

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A published report said a Region 7-AAAAAA would look like this: Collins Hill; Duluth; Mill Creek; Norcross; Mountain View; North Gwinnett; Peachtree Ridge; Meadowcreek; Habersham Central.

Georgia high schools will eventually crown six state champions in each sport as the state moves from a Class AAAAA to Class AAAAAA system.

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By a vote of 26-24, the Georgia High School Association Executive Committee, meeting in Macon, approved Tuesday the six-classification system proposed by former Brookwood High School Athletic Director Dave Hunter.

That vote came shortly after the committee overwhelmingly rejected the controversial 4/8 proposal advanced by Executive Committee Chairman Stan Ethridge of Savannah. That vote was surprisingly lopsided with 35 of the 50 members opposed. That plan would have reduced classifications to four, but split those into eight for the playoffs, thereby crowning eight champions.

The Macon Telegraph reported that Metro Atlanta schools voted 17-0 against the 4/8 plan and, by the same vote, approved the six-class plan.

"It seems there is a clear divide between Atlanta and the rest of the state," Hunter told the newspaper. "That’s unfortunate."

But Karen said he doubts the decision will have much impact on North Gwinnett or Region 7-AAAAA.

Peachtree Ridge AD Bill Holeman said, "There really isn't a perfect solution when it comes to something as emotional as reclassification. But it's the most equitable of the options available."

Holeman said he also doubted the decision would have any impact on Peachtree Ridge or Region 7-AAAAA. "We're one of the largest schools in the state, so we're going to be in the top classification either way. In time people may even find it's a good solution."

A final determination on each school's class is expected to be made this fall by the GHSA. The plan would go into effect in 2012-13.

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