Bismarck (KFYR) – The North Dakota High School Activities Association Thursday unanimously accepted to move forward with the three-class proposal for boys and girls basketball.

The three-class system was presented to the NDHSAA board today, December 1 in Valley City, and voted on to advance.

This process began nearly 10 months ago. A focus group, made up of representatives from each region, presented the proposed plan to the board after a survey period last winter, and submission of approval letters throughout October.

The board and committee will now work through financial and staff considerations. This is the biggest step toward a three-class system since the adoption of two classes decades ago.

Valley City Public Schools Superintendent, Josh Johsnson commented that, “For the past six months, the focus group has followed a strict procedure of the NDHSAA.  This procedure (see attached) requires the administration at NDHSAA to complete a finance and staffing study prior to the plan being approved or denied by the board. The association now has until February 8th to complete this study and bring back information to the board. I believe the board will be prepared to make a decision on the three-class plan at the meeting on February 8th.

Despite what you may read online or hear on the radio/television, the three-class basketball proposal is moving forward in North Dakota. As a NDHSAA Board Member, I believe it is important that the board follows its own procedure and completes the required finance and staffing study.

In Valley City, we know the best place for our Hi-Liner student-athletes competing in high school basketball is NOT against Fargo Davies or Barnes County North but against schools and teams of similar size (Central Cass, Devils Lake, etc…).  If you have any questions or comments regarding the three-class basketball proposal, please contact me.  Thank you for your continued interest with this important topic in North Dakota.

It has been 59 years since three-class ended in North Dakota (1963-Class C).  Rome wasn’t built overnight, neither will the three-class basketball plan. The future is bright for basketball in Valley City, Barnes County North, Maple Valley, and the other member schools in North Dakota.

Sincerely, Josh Johnson

NDHSAA Board Member and Superintendent of the Valley City Public School District.