(File Photo of an Aliquippa Quips Flag)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Ambridge, PA) According to a release in Ambridge today from State Representative Rob Matzie’s office, Matzie issued the following statement regarding yesterday’s vote by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association board to reclassify the Aliquippa High School football program:

“I’ve just been informed that the PIAA Board has voted to move Aliquippa Football to Class 3A for the next two years. While the specifics of the determination haven’t been released, I’m pleased the board made the right decision after several attempts pleading the case.  I have shared the opinion of the Aliquippa School District that decisions related to the competitive balance formula should use actual enrollment and view each transfer on a case-by-case basis rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. The study that I requested the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to perform of the PIAA and its competitive balance formula is expected to be released this spring. I will always stand up for kids in my district and students all across Pennsylvania. The results of this ruling have always been about fairness and the health and safety of the kids.”