Kiel sponsoring bill that could dramatically impact some local schools’ AHSAA classifications

A bill co-sponsored by Rep. Jamie Kiel (R-Russellville) could have significant impact on two Franklin County schools if enacted into law by the Alabama Legislature.

HB298 would restrict certain English Language Learner students from inclusion in a public school’s average daily membership (ADM) which is used to calculate classification in the Alabama High School Athletic Association.

ADM is a school’s average daily attendance for students in 9th, 10th and 11th grades, along with 8th grade holdback students.

In order to keep competitive balance, ADM is used to ensure schools compete against other schools with similar enrollment. The AHSAA calculates classification every two years. The process will begin again next fall, when reclassification will be done for fall sports starting in the fall of 2026. 

Private schools’ ADMs are calculated with a multiplier of 1.35 for each student in order to maintain what the AHSAA calls ‘competitive balance.’

English Language Learners are students whose primary language is one other than English and who are not proficient in written or spoken English.

With a large Latino population in Russellville, almost 60% of all Russellville City Schools students are classified as Hispanic. While most of those students are proficient in English well before high school, there are students who transfer into the system with no ability to speak or write in English.

According to last year’s U.S. News and World Report’s school rankings, Tharptown’s high school enrollment of 391 includes approximately 50% minority students, with 47% of those Latino/Hispanic. This is by far the largest percentage among Franklin County Schools, although it does not mean 50% of all THS students are English Language Learners.

Two years ago, Russellville High School had 710 students enrolled, with 93 of those classified as ELL. Compare that percentage to West Elementary School, whose enrollment that same year was 592 with 240 English Language Learners.

According to Kiel, only a small percentage of ELL high school students participate on athletic teams.

“The numbers show most ELL students are non-participatory in athletics. So it’s not fair for schools with high ELL numbers to get moved up in AHSAA classification when they have a large amount of students who cannot speak our language,” Kiel said.

HB298 would not apply to ELL students who compete on interscholastic athletic teams would be included in the school’s ADM, Kiel explained.

The bill’s passage would likely eliminate any chance of RHS or THS moving up in AHSAA classification.

“The number of ELL students at Tharptown and Russellville High Schools continue to increase, although other Franklin County schools have ELL students in high school as well,” Kiel said.

With an ADM of 563.5, Russellville High School ranks 10th out of the 62 schools in 5A competition. With an ADM of 203.2, Tharptown ranks as the fourth largest 2A school in the 2024 reclassification.

HB298 is pending in the House Education Policy Committee, with a hearing set March 5th in that committee. If approved, the bill would take effect on June 1, 2025, and the State Board of Education would be required to develop rules to implement the changes it creates.

Co-sponsors include Rep. Brock Colvin (R-Guntersville), Rep. Jennifer Fidler (R-Fairhope), Rep. Ben Robbins (R-Sylacauga), Rep. Jeana Ross (R-Guntersville) and Rep. Matt Woods (R-Jasper).

Its supporters argue the bill was designed to protect student athletes in schools like Boaz, Guntersville and Russellville that are in higher athletic classifications due to a ‘significant influx of immigrants,’ said Colvin. “By ensuring clear regulations and a level playing field, this legislation will restore both safety and fairness to high school sports, preserving the integrity of competition for all athletes,” Calvin told www.yellowhammernews.com.