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Barnes County North board discusses football co-op and NDHSAA alignment; Valley City appeal expected
Summary
Board members reviewed NDHSAA classification thresholds and discussed options if Valley City’s alignment moves BCN’s co-op into 11-man football, including potential appeals and emergency co-op options; district to monitor enrollment reports ahead of Oct. 15 alignment meeting.
Barnes County North administrators told the board on Aug. 21 they are monitoring NDHSAA enrollment numbers that could change the district’s athletic classification and affect existing co-op arrangements with Valley City and other nearby schools.
Dr. Schaffer reported that NDHSAA uses current-year enrollment figures to set classifications and that a combined Valley City co-op could push Valley City above the 150-student threshold that determines 11-man vs. smaller classifications. Valley City plans to submit an appeal to the state alignment committee to ask for continued 11-man status if combined numbers qualify; the alignment committee meets Oct. 15 and final bracket placements follow the football season.
Board members discussed contingency options, including exploring co-op relationships with Jamestown or other nearby schools, the paperwork and deadlines for co-op and hardship appeals, and the potential cost of emergency co-op eligibility (administrators cited a per-player fee commonly described in the meeting as $500, with discussion that the fee has been proposed for reduction to about $200). Administrators noted that host schools commonly initiate appeals but BCN could file if needed.
Board members asked administration to provide weekly or timely updates as enrollment reports are finalized so the board and community can plan for schedules and travel demands. No formal board action on a co-op was taken at the meeting; administrators will monitor enrollment figures and report back ahead of the October alignment meeting.
