Cannon Falls activities staff told the school board that a change in Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) governance that clarifies 9–12 status will likely end routine sixth‑grade participation in many individual sports starting this school year.

The district’s activities presenter, Reid, said the league’s new approach to 9–12 governance “we're gonna have to not allow sixth grade participation in any of our individual sports this year like we have had in the past.” He told the board the rule will be finalized only after the high‑school league issues a glossary of terms the district has not yet received and said local athletic directors are meeting in August to coordinate an approach.

The change means junior high athletes who are moved up to a varsity or junior varsity level may not move back during that sport season; Reid described the league’s intent to stop repeated up‑and‑down movement during a season. He said leagues such as the HBL (Hiawatha Valley League) are working with nearby conferences — including the Three Rivers and Gopher conferences — to try to align classifications and avoid inconsistent labels (for example, calling a grade “C” in one place and “7/8” in another).

Reid and the board discussed likely local adjustments: reclassifying some teams to create more levels (for example, varsity/JV/C) so seventh‑ and eighth‑grade athletes have appropriate playing opportunities and to help preserve participation where numbers are low. He noted the district will lose only some sixth‑grade participation; cross country and several individual sports have low sixth‑grade enrollments and “removing sixth grade won't be that big of an impact.”

The board and presenter also discussed growing programs statewide — notably girls wrestling and boys volleyball — and the demands those sports place on coaches and officials. Reid said Cannon Falls currently has 18 programs, across athletics and activities, competing in MSHSL postseason events and pointed to statewide growth in participation as a factor the league is trying to manage.

Board members asked whether local opponents had already removed middle‑school participation; Reid said no other conference opponents had fully removed it yet, and that Byron had discussed it but did not act. He said the HBL expects to meet again in August and would prefer to finalize local labeling once the league glossary is shared.

The district also previewed an MSHSL video emphasizing sportsmanship and inclusion. A speaker in that presentation described the league as “a dynamic partnership of more than 600 schools” whose mission is to provide educational opportunities in fine arts and athletics.

Board discussion focused on administrative coordination rather than a board policy change; Reid said staff will return with recommended local classifications after the HBL and MSHSL guidance is finalized.