POLK COUNTY – Some changes are almost inevitable every four years as the Oregon School Activities Association approves classification and league status for all 295 schools in the state.
But for Dallas and Central, the changes this time around will likely be relatively minor and nothing dramatic, exciting, or shocking. OSAA plans to vote on a final plan for 2022-26 on December 13th.
Prior to this, his classification and district committee has additional meetings and work to do to develop a final recommendation. The committee recently put forward what it believes to be a working structure, which is now subject to changes proposed by the member schools, but which could contain at least some key elements for the final breakdown.
The committee’s proposal of October 13th remains with six classifications; some across the state have been lobbying for five. The committee’s proposal would keep Dallas and Central in the 5A Mid-Willamette Conference. The league would remain largely intact, growing from nine to ten teams. North Salem would go up to 6A. Woodburn and McKay would move into the MWC, with McKay’s request to downplay from 6A just being approved.
The committee suggests that 5A schools must have 590 to 999 Adjusted Average Daily Membership (ADM). Dallas (616) and Central (660) would still be in the lower half of the MWC. McKay (1,304) would be by far the largest member of the 10-team conference. Woodburn is 870 ADM.
Dallas Athletic Director Tim Larson said the size differences shouldn’t be a huge problem for competitive balance. He also said the League ADs are happy with the committee’s proposal and the decision to focus on maintaining six classes.
“We met (recently) and everyone agreed that the model with six classifications was the best fit for us,” said Larson. “I like that we stick together as a conference. It’s nice to know who you’re working with. Even if there are inequalities (in size) we do a great job not to rub our faces. Sportiness is important to the Mid-Willamette Conference.
“McKay has a new AD (Donovan Kim) that I haven’t worked with yet, but we’re less concerned about who gets into our league and more concerned with making the most of everything that comes. McKay and Woodburn are great schools. Woodburn has always been a pleasure to work with. Your AD (Chad Waples) is doing a hell of a job. ”
West Salem, as opposed to Dallas and Central, could see some significant potential changes as the OSAA wrestles with one of its toughest issues: where to go with the big schools in the Bend area?
Some in Salem have wished to remove Bend, Caldera, Mountain View, and Summit from the 6A Mid-Valley Conference, thereby reducing travel expenses and lost class time for the athletes.
The OSAA committee proposal takes these concerns to heart and changes the 6A and 5A ADM series to include Bend, Caldera, Mountain View and Summit on 5A and in the Intermountain Conference with Crook County, Redmond and Ridgeview would play. These four schools in Bend have ADMs from 814 to 934.
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