I have been laying low on this discussion because frankly I didn't know what to make of it. I think I am finally starting to get an understanding of it. I am going to use my home county of Edgecombe as an example. Attendance in Edgecombe County public high schools has been on the decline for many years, primarily due to local economics. In recent years, a charter school has opened near Tarboro (North East Carolina Preparatory Academy) which has continued to erode the numbers in all county schools. As far as I know, no student at NEC Prep is eligible to play sports at any of the other county high schools. There is no gaming the system here. No attempt by anyone to lower ADMs to get an advantage. It's just economics, politics and academic freedom.
Most 1A schools are located in very small pockets. Tarboro is one of the largest towns with a 1A school. Most high schools in a town Tarboro's size would have at least a 2A size athletic program. But because of its population, economic size and geography, it can support a charter school. If you are a parent looking strictly for academic performance, which high school would you choose? If you want your children to have a more "well rounded" experience, which would you choose? It's all about choice.
Edgecombe County does not have an "alternative" school as far as I know, but its my understanding that kids sent to alternative schools can't play for another school either. So when it comes to Murphy, I fail to see what all the fuss is over. These are circumstances created by school boards, parents, community leaders and benefactors for these charter schools. It's not like there is an athletic director or coach behind the scenes orchestrating all this to shed numbers while buying new trophy cases.
I don't have any freaking dog in this fight. I'm a Viking, not a Dog. If you can give me an intelligent explanation of what the conspiracy is in Murphy with legit facts and not hearsay, I'm all ears. But I'm frankly tired of hearing all this nonsense about Murphy using funny math with their ADMs. As a Tarboro fan that has seen our numbers steadily fall, it has frankly been a bit disappointing. You can't help where you have to play, but it was a lot more competitive and thrilling to win 2A championships by less than a TD than to go to a lower classification and play for a title favored by multiple TD's. But even though Murphy or Tarboro would be better suited for 2A, the NCHSAA won't allow teams to play up in classification anymore. Blame the Association and stop blaming Murphy or Tarboro because they have solid football programs.
Mods, you are on notice. This is a valid concern and the integrity of our athletics has been questioned. This deserves a reasonable debate without the usual clown show.
Most 1A schools are located in very small pockets. Tarboro is one of the largest towns with a 1A school. Most high schools in a town Tarboro's size would have at least a 2A size athletic program. But because of its population, economic size and geography, it can support a charter school. If you are a parent looking strictly for academic performance, which high school would you choose? If you want your children to have a more "well rounded" experience, which would you choose? It's all about choice.
Edgecombe County does not have an "alternative" school as far as I know, but its my understanding that kids sent to alternative schools can't play for another school either. So when it comes to Murphy, I fail to see what all the fuss is over. These are circumstances created by school boards, parents, community leaders and benefactors for these charter schools. It's not like there is an athletic director or coach behind the scenes orchestrating all this to shed numbers while buying new trophy cases.
I don't have any freaking dog in this fight. I'm a Viking, not a Dog. If you can give me an intelligent explanation of what the conspiracy is in Murphy with legit facts and not hearsay, I'm all ears. But I'm frankly tired of hearing all this nonsense about Murphy using funny math with their ADMs. As a Tarboro fan that has seen our numbers steadily fall, it has frankly been a bit disappointing. You can't help where you have to play, but it was a lot more competitive and thrilling to win 2A championships by less than a TD than to go to a lower classification and play for a title favored by multiple TD's. But even though Murphy or Tarboro would be better suited for 2A, the NCHSAA won't allow teams to play up in classification anymore. Blame the Association and stop blaming Murphy or Tarboro because they have solid football programs.
Mods, you are on notice. This is a valid concern and the integrity of our athletics has been questioned. This deserves a reasonable debate without the usual clown show.
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