AHSAA executive director Heath Harmon isn't counting out the possibility of member private and public schools reuniting after the 2026-2028 reclassification period. "We would certainly look at that," Harmon told the Montgomery Advertiser. "Because it's so new within the private classification, we could even have things that we could consider doing in the middle of a classification, which we typically don't do." One of those "things" Harmon mentioned is not combining private and public schools in 2027. If that happens, that won't happen until the next reclassification period. Harmon didn't go into specifics of what those changes could be because they haven't necessarily been discussed, but if private schools come to the AHSAA with items that could drastically improve their standing like travel, the AHSAA would consider looking into making those changes. An example of one of those changes came recently after the most recent AHSAA Central Board of Control meetings on July 29 when the AHSAA made changes to the Double A football playoff format. The AHSAA has heard its private schools, and it wants to keep their membership. "We feel like there is a great benefit to being a member of the AHSAA ... just take one of the items like training, officials, the education we provide for coaches and one of the many scholarships we offer," Harmon said. BUSTER DANIEL: Buster Daniel emerges as AHSAA's new voice for private schools PICKING AHSAA FB STATE TITLE PICKS: Picking eight preseason 2026 AHSAA football state title winners
Jaeden Day covers high school sports, Alabama State football and Auburn recruiting for the Montgomery Advertiser/USA Today. You can find him on X at dayjaeden12, or reach him at JDay@montgome.gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Could public, private schools reunite under AHSAA in two years?