On Wednesday, March 12, the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association’s Legislative Council discussed the concept of a complete split of public and private schools in sport competitions. This means that most likely next year, public and private schools will not get the opportunity to play one another in athletics. Each member of the council was given an opportunity to explain and discuss the best option with the schools they represent. The end conclusion of this debate was at a 7-2 vote; the committee then decided to further their research and find long term effects, such as “fundamental changes”, to the schools if the committee agrees to this act. They met again to discuss their conclusion and to vote in August, but the verdict has yet to be announced.

“I’m not saying we’re for or against the proposal,” TSSAA executive director Bernard Childress stated.

Central will learn about the outcome of the research when it is released, but for now, many are disappointed at the potential loss of competition and opportunity to improve.

“For me, private schools are competitive. They usually do very well in their division and usually make it to state and win. So it prepares us to play the people in our division,” Coach Leeanne Shurette, the softball coach at Central, explained.

This possibility worries not only Central’s coaches, but also dedicated atheletes.

“Private schools are our best competition. So every time we play a private school, we learn from our mistakes, and it really pushes us to play our best,” basketball player Emily Feist shared.

There are many pros and cons to this new idea, and Central will have to adjust to the changes if the act is passed. This new act is most likely going to take place in the 2015-2016 school year.