Heritage conference

[djs11]

With the merger of Ligonier and Laurel valley, has anyone heard what the conference is planning on doing?

[cleaverstuart]

There is a rumor that Cambria Heights might join, Harmony was also looked at 10 years ago but was basicly passed over due to no football and a small athletic program in number of sports. Some of the other schools would like to expell a combine Lig/Laurel Valley, but Blairsville/Saltsburg would not vote that way since their school board is also study an athletic co-op for all sports and would be the same size as Ligonier Valley. This is most like the first step in the demise of the Heritage. As a 1983 graduate of Laurel Valley I really hate to see all these changes.

[zonebreaker]

So will there be no Laurel Valley next year? Will all of the students go to Ligonier Valley high school?

And does anyone know what is going on with Blairsville and Saltsburg? I thought that a couple years ago the board voted to begin complete consolidation but then Saltsburg parents fought back through the legal system, threatened litigation, or starting their own school, but since then I haven't heard anything. So is complete consolidation on hold? I know both schools still have their own football, basketball, and volleyball teams while track and field is combined not for sure about baseball and softball.

Both these situations are a shame and show why consolidating into a bigger district is not always the answer. The schools are too far apart, especially Laurel Valley and Ligonier Valley.

Cambria Heights would be a solid addition to the Heritage. But as far as I know the Heights has always stood firm that they are happy where they are in the LHAC.

[cleaverstuart]

the Ligonier Valley School Baord is making over tones that they would like to start with consolidation next year although the final vote can't take place until April due to the 90 day requirement after the public hearing that a school board can't vote to close a building. I do know Laurel Valey Students are turning two sets of class schedules for the 2010-11 school year. One for a combine school and one for the status quo. I also feel that after the next two year cycle Ligonier Valley will re-apply to the WPIAL which they belonged till the 1970's. As a AAA basketball program it would fit nicely wth all the Westmoreland county schools that play in that class. Just like Mt. Pleasant the combine school would only be AA in football and most likely would be placed in the section that also includes Jeanette and Greensbug C.C., yikes If the combine school joins the WPIAL call me a carpetbagger but I will be spending alot of time watching United teams.

[Muddlehuddle]

Has Ligonier/Laurel Valley made their intentions known to District 6 or the PIAA? Granted, the school district can make their own decisions and leagues/other schools can choose to play/not to play them in athletics, but in terms of enrollement, classification, and playoff eligibility USUALLY any change in participation #'s (such as a coop request) has to be done at least a year in advance.

[zonebreaker]

Has Ligonier/Laurel Valley made their intentions known to District 6 or the PIAA? Granted, the school district can make their own decisions and leagues/other schools can choose to play/not to play them in athletics, but in terms of enrollement, classification, and playoff eligibility USUALLY any change in participation #'s (such as a coop request) has to be done at least a year in advance.

I think its the school decision that comes first. And those can be made late. In a situation like that, the PIAA will adjust as needed, like they did with the Elderton/Armstrong County School District situation.

Regarding Ligonier and d6/d7 I would want to stay in d6, where it would be easier for them to advance in districts.

[djs11]

Easier to win in districts? They would still lose in the second round if not the first in AA.

[zonebreaker]

which district do you think is easier to advance in, d6 or d7?

in 10 years, who is to say how a combined ligonier/laurel team would be.