WILSONVILLE – The OSAA Classification and Districting Committee for the 2022-26 four-year time block held its third public meeting at the Holiday Inn Express, Wilsonville on October 11, 2021 to receive testimony and review written correspondence thus far received. After reading the update and watching the YouTube video of the meeting, here is what we know:
- Football is not included in these districts. The decision on football districts will not be considered until after the season is completed and we won’t know for sure where schools fall for football leagues until February, 2022.
- The committee is no longer considering 5-district plans. Ideas going forward will be for a 6-district plan.
- The Committee has revised cutoff student numbers and come up with a proposal labeled Draft #5. Although the Committee is stressing this proposal is not a final decision, it falls in line with the decision to move student enrollment numbers.
- The final decision on classifications for the next four years will be made on December 13, 2021.
Here is a look at the new proposal. Remember, football is not included in this draft.
4A Greater Oregon League-Due to the change in enrollment numbers, Pendleton will join Baker, La Grande and Ontario in the league. (The Buckaroos have 588 students, Baker has 359) (Distance from Ontario to Pendleton is 166 miles one-way)
3A Eastern Oregon League-MacHi will join current members Burns, Nyssa, Riverside, Umatilla and Vale. (The Pioneers have requested and played down off and on to the 3A for a number of years)
2A Blue Mountain Conference-In all the plans we have seen, Irrigon is dropping down to 2A including this one. The Knights join Enterprise, Grant Union, Heppner, Stanfield and Weston-McEwen.
1A Big Sky League-This league is huge and includes Arlington, Bickleton, Condon, Dufur, Echo, Glenwood, Horizon Christian, Ione, Klickitat, Lyle, Mitchell, Sherman, South Wasco, Spray, Trout Lake, Wheeler and Wishram. (This league won’t have many non-league games to fill a basketball season)
1A Old Oregon League-This league does not change from current and includes Cove, Elgin, Griswold, Imbler, Joseph, Nixyaawii, Pilot Rock, Pine Eagle, Powder Valley, Union and Wallowa.
1A High Desert League-Again, this league does not change. Includes Adrian, Burnt River, Crane, Dayville, Four Rivers, Harper, Huntington, Jordan Valley, Long Creek, Monument, Prairie City and Ukiah.
