For years, we have witnessed an ongoing trend where private high schools gain significant advantages in athletic competitions under the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA). It has become a recurring event that private schools recruit students with emphasis on athletic participation, nearly mandating it as part of their educational experience. As a result, public schools, especially smaller ones, face an uphill battle competing on an uneven playing field.

This issue undermines the integrity of fair competition and negates the spirit of high school sports—promoting teamwork, community, and personal development—by turning them into highly competitive endeavors skewed by recruitment practices. The difference in resources and focus on sports between private and public institutions is visible, and this discrepancy often leaves public schools disadvantaged.

A tangible and equitable solution is to create an enrollment multiplier for private high schools competing in KSHSAA events. This adjustment would attempt to nullify the recruitment advantage by adjusting enrollments to account for their access to students across broader geographic and socio-economic demographics. Such a measure would provide a more level playing field for public schools, preventing small, locally funded schools from being overshadowed by the concentrated talent often housed within private institutions.

Moreover, a multiplier system is not unprecedented. Many states across the U.S. have successfully implemented similar measures to ensure fair competition. For example, Illinois and Tennessee have instituted formulas that adjust enrollments to reflect the competitive edge certain types of schools might inherently possess.

Implementing this system in Kansas could usher in a new era of balanced competition, fostering a more inclusive and credible environment for all student-athletes. This change would not just benefit public schools, but also contribute to the overall integrity and credibility of KSHSAA-sanctioned events.

We urge KSHSAA to consider the inclusion of an enrollment multiplier for private high schools to uphold fairness and equality in school sports. Sign this petition to bring about this essential change for our high school athletes and the communities they represent.