Changes ahead for school athletics

RENTON - The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association will abandon its socioeconomic criteria allowing schools to move down to small-school athletic leagues.

The change is among 22 approved by the WIAA Representative Assembly last week for middle and high school activities and athletics, effective Aug. 1.

The assembly comprises of 53 school administrators-35 from high schools and 18 from middle schools-representing each of the six WIAA districts. To pass, changes need 60% approval from voting members. Specifically, 32 votes are needed for a high school/middle-level amendment to pass,...