The Georgia High School Association voted today to increase the number of sports classifications from five to six. The “A” through “AAAAAA” categories determine which schools play each other in sports.

The GHSA board added the sixth classification despite a recommendation from its reclassification committee to cut schools to four categories. The majority say more regions cut down on travel that’s costly and cuts into academics.

But committee member and Charlton County athletic director Jessie Cruz says under the GHSA constitution, only the committee can set the number of classifications. And he says it won’t reduce travel:

“My region with this plan here will go from Charlton County which is over basically towards the east coast where Camden County’s at, from Charlton County all the way across to the Alabama line to Miller County, to Carroll County, Seminole County. That’s a long way to ride for kids.”

If the vote stands, the changes go into effect in the fall of 2012.

Tags: education, GHSA, georgia sports, Georgia High School Association