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CHAPEL HILL – The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) has released the second draft of proposed conference members, as part of the upcoming four-year realignment period (2025-2029).

The NCHSAA previously approved doubling the number of classifications, expanding from four to eight, based on student enrollment. They released the first draft of proposed conference last month.

The smallest classification (1A) has changed to 57 schools (down from 58); Classes 2A through 7A each have 59 schools. The largest classification (8A) is proposed to have 32 member schools.

The NCHSAA has proposed several “split” conferences, where schools, close in regional proximity, are of various classifications. There is a change in this latest proposal that affects two of the Roanoke-Chowan area’s five public high schools.

Back in December, the NCHSAA proposed a split 1A/2A conference comprised of KIPP Pride in Gaston (1A), North East Carolina Prep (1A), North Edgecombe (1A), Rocky Mount Prep (1A), Southeast Halifax (1A), Washington County (1A), Weldon (1A), Northampton County (2A), and Northwest Halifax (2A).

The second proposal moves KIPP Pride, Northampton County, NW Halifax, and Southeast Halifax to a split 1A/2A conference that also includes Oxford Prep (1A), Vance Charter (1A), Henderson Collegiate (2A), and Warren County (2A).

Conference alignment for three other R-C area public high schools remain unchanged from the original proposal.

There is a split 3A/4A/5A conference comprised of Hertford County (3A), Martin County (3A), Northeastern (3A), Pasquotank County (3A), First Flight (4A), and Currituck County (5A).

Both Bertie High School and Gates County High School are classified as 2A. The NCHSAA proposes they will be members of the same conference along with four other 2A schools: Camden County, John H. Holmes, Manteo, and Perquimans.

The next step in the realignment process involves public school administrators giving feedback to the NCHSAA regarding these proposed conferences.

The NCHSAA realignment process continues in early February at which time they will listen to feedback regarding this second proposal.