Missouri students lose bid against multiplier

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Five Missouri high school students have lost a bid to change a bylaw that resulted in nonpublic schools competing against larger public schools.

Under By-Law 312-d, the Missouri State High School Activities Association multiplies the enrollment levels of nonpublic schools by 1.35 for classification purposes for sporting and academic competitions. For single-gender schools, the enrollment level would be doubled then multiplied by 1.35. The goal is to create a level playing field for the competitions.

Boone County Judge Ellen S. Roper ruled late Tuesday that the multiplier "is simply another permissible tool to address equity."

Members of the MSHSAA passed the by-law 266-186 in May to counteract what was seen as an unfair increase in state championships won by nonpublic schools.

Roper said the schools that supported the multiplier "have not acted arbitrarily and capriciously. If anything, they have demonstrated great restraint for 10 years and a willingness to resist separate championships and first try less-intrusive measures to restore equity."

Roper also noted that no school moved up more than one class.

On Wednesday, the MSHSAA was unable to provide The Associated Press with figures on state championships won by public and nonpublic schools.

The plaintiffs -- four students from Helias High School in Jefferson City and one student from St. Pius X High School in Kansas City -- claimed that the multiplier adversely affected individual athletes at nonpublic schools in several ways.

The plaintiffs, represented by Mark Ludwig, claimed that the reclassifications would: result in less successful nonpublic school teams and, therefore, less exposure to college recruiters; create a competitive disadvantage against schools with larger enrollments; and create match-ups with teams with more players, leading to more injuries.

Ludwig was in court Wednesday and not immediately available for comment.