After weeks of controversy and appeals, the Alabama High School Athletic Association Central Board of Control has amended Scottsboro High School’s classification, moving the school from Class 5A back to Class 4A for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 cycle.
The board met virtually Monday and approved the adjustment, citing what AHSAA Executive Director Heath Harmon described as a miscalculation and incorrect submission of data by Scottsboro City Schools that led to the initial placement in 5A.
“Due to a miscalculation and incorrect submission of data by Scottsboro City Schools, Scottsboro High School was incorrectly placed into the 5A classification for the next classification period,” Harmon said. “We appreciate the Central Board’s decision to make the following adjustments. This only affected a classification change for Scottsboro High School.”
The decision comes after Scottsboro City Schools spent weeks challenging the classification, arguing that the school’s Average Daily Membership was overstated by 11 students and that the verified correction was not applied before reclassifications were finalized in January.
When initial classifications were released Jan. 23, Scottsboro was placed in 5A despite reporting the discrepancy on Jan. 16 in response to an AHSAA memo requesting schools verify enrollment data. Superintendent Jennifer Williams formally appealed the decision, first to Harmon and then to the Central Board of Control, after her initial appeal was denied.
Earlier this month, Williams appeared before the board to request that verified data be used and pointed to prior reclassification cycles in which schools were allowed to correct enrollment figures to ensure competitive equity.
On Feb. 6, AHSAA notified the district that no action would be taken and that classification decisions were not subject to appeal.
Monday’s vote reverses that outcome.
“This morning, the Alabama High School Athletic Association Central Board of Control voted to place Scottsboro High School in Class 4A for the 2026-2028 classification period based on the verified Average Daily Membership presented,” Williams said in a statement released Monday. “I am grateful to the members of the Central Board of Control for their careful review of the data and documentation provided and for making the right decision for our student-athletes.”
Williams said the district’s focus throughout the process was accuracy and fairness.
“Throughout this process, our priority has remained clear: to advocate for our student-athletes and ensure they are represented accurately and fairly,” she said. “This is a great win for Scottsboro High School and for our student-athletes. With this decision now behind us, we remain focused on winning in the classroom while competing on a fair and level playing field.”
As part of the adjustment, Scottsboro will compete in Class 4A, Region 8 in football; Area 16 in volleyball; Section 4 in cross country; Class 1A-4A Region 8 in flag football; and Class 1A-4A Section 3 in swimming and diving. Winter and spring sports will be reclassified in March.
The change also impacts Douglas High School, which will move in football to Class 5A, Region 8 as part of the updated alignment.
With the board’s decision, Scottsboro’s reclassification battle appears settled, ending a dispute that had raised questions about consistency in the state’s athletic realignment process.
