Newly released statistics from the Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association have supported the recommendation that Bainbridge High School be put into the 2A classification, a change from the current 3A grouping.

BHS now has the option to “opt up” to 3A or to play in a league that falls in the 2A classification.

Reclassification brings up issues of athlete safety and the continued assurance of healthy competition, as well as limiting missed instructional minutes due to athletic competition travel, athletic costs associated with classification and league alignment as well as player, parent and coach preferences.

The school’s administrative team has spent the past year collecting survey data from coaches regarding league preference and recently completed an online survey of parents and players.

The team will present cost, missed instructional time and additional data to the Bainbridge Island School Board at its next meeting, scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 12.