LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Three principals across the Clark County School District shed light on their decision to bring their football programs into an “independent” status for the upcoming school year.
Various schools are starting to release schedules for their designated “groups” after the announcement that 30 football programs are going “independent” within the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association, allowing the teams to create their own setup for season and postseason play.
READ MORE: 30 CCSD football programs go ‘independent’ within NIAA
Thirty principals with 4A and 5A football programs sent notifications to the NIAA of their intent for an independent status.
Concerns among coaches and families had been growing for some time over the competitive edge afforded to private and charter schools, from recruitment rules to finances; parents and three principals tell FOX5, there were consistent concerns over the safety of players and students facing formidable opponents with far more training and resources.
While private schools can recruit students across the County, state and even the country, CCSD schools face strict requirements for transfers and fundraising.
“Every school made their own decision, and they made that in conjunction with their coaches, their players, their families. But there’s been a longstanding belief that our current system is broken. It needs to be addressed on behalf of all of our students. There’s some equity issues in some of the rules that need to be addressed,” said Principal Keith Wipperman of Centennial High School.
“We wanted to make sure that we are addressing that, and we’re always going to stand up for our kids,” he tells FOX5.
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