Jun 4, 2009

NorthStars discussion

The end of the school year might be upon us, but it isn't quite complete - in The New Mexican's eyes – until we've unveiled our athletes of the year selections in our NorthStars section, which will be done Saturday.
It's a year-long process as well, and something we discuss as much in earnest in November as well as in April and May. Now that our end-of-year section is available for public consumption, it's time for you to send us your feedback.
Happy with our selections? Feel that we overlooked a deserving candidate? Or that we chose poorly in a sport? Whatever your feelings are about the section, we would like to know what you think. So, step right up and tell us your feelings and give us your candidates for the 2008-09 school year.
We won't scrap it and do it over again, but at least you have this forum to express yourself. And we at The New Mexican look forward to hearing from you.

Jun 3, 2009

NMAA realignment proposal meets its deadline

Earlier today, the New Mexico Activities Association approved classification and alignment proposal, which covers a four-year block start with the 2010-2011 school year. The meeting today gave schools a last-ditch effort to appeal their placements, which the entire District 2AAA
schools did as a group. It is being split up with St. Michael's, Pojoaque and Santa Fe Indian School leaving for 4AAA, which will include Albuquerque schools Hope Christian and Sandia Preparatory.
The district was represented by the athletic directors from St. Michael's (Tom Manning), Pojoaque (Matt Martinez), West Las Vegas (Jose Medina) and Las Vegas Robertson (Mike Yara), and they argued that the breakup of the district would hurt the six member schools significantly in gate receipts that help fund the schools' athletic programs. Manning said whatever transportation savings that the three schools might realize will be offset by the loss of revenue for district games.
It did not change their fate, as the board kept that portion of the proposal intact.
So, there will be quite a few changes and moves that will affect northern schools, if you haven't heard already.
Here are the highlights:
*Santa Fe High will move from Class AAAAA to AAAA and takes residence in District 2AAAA along with Los Alamos, Capital, Bernalillo and EspaƱola Valley.
*Coincidentally, Taos High will move from AAAA to AAA and into 2AAA, where it will compete with Las Vegas Robertson, West Las Vegas and Raton.
*Santa Fe Indian School is scheduled to shed its independent status in football, but there are questions about whether it will continue to play the sport. Also, Albuquerque Academy will be in 4AAA for football.
*In AA, District 3AA and 4AA essentially will be merged into one, with Questa and McCurdy School (of 3AA) dropping into Class A. Mesa Vista, which also was scheduled to move down a class before electing to play up, gets shuffled into District 7AA with Cuba, Dulce and Jemez Valley. Also moving down is Coronado
*New Mexico School for the Deaf and Santa Fe Waldorf will participate in a new class - B - in volleyball and and basketball. They will be in District 2B.