Libby to drop down to Class B

On a 5-2 vote Monday evening, the Libby school board approved moving its high school sports programs, except soccer, from Class A to Class B for the 2015-16 school year.

The Montana High School Association, after a two-year enrollment review, recommended the move.

The enrollment range for Class B is 120-399 students. Libby’s number was 338.5. Class A enrollment is 340-825.

“It was a very tough decision for the board,” Libby assistant principal and activities director Jim Germany said.

“They felt our numbers won’t get better, will only get worse.”

Germany said in a poll of the administration, coaches and students, the majority wanted to stay in Class A.

“We’re going to miss Northwestern A,” Germany said.

“We had a commitment to them over the years. That will be bothersome. Hopefully in a couple years we can get back up there.”

Earlier this month, Anaconda’s Board of Trustees voted 6-1 to move from Class A to Class B. Anaconda’s enrollment average was 326. The school is down 30 students from last year.

Anaconda and Libby at one time were both members of Class AA.

Both schools may petition a move back to Class A after two years.

Glendive recently elected to stay in Class A despite a MHSA recommendation to drop down to Class B.

Plentywood has approved a move from Class B to Class C.