BAKER — A group of local high school football players transferred from one school to another.
This is nothing new in Okaloosa County, although this instance doesn’t involve as much drama.
Crestview head football coach Tim Hatten said six former Crestview students and football players transferred to nearby Baker this summer. Baker coach Matt Brunson was unsure of the number but confirmed it was at least four.
6 WAIVERS TURNED IN
Hatten said he has no reason to believe recruiting took place — a difference from what Fort Walton Beach alleged in January 2014, when seven Viking football players transferred to Niceville. That incident spurred an investigation into recruiting allegations — which the Okaloosa County School District quickly dismissed — and turned an on-field rivalry into a personal one.
“I don’t have any evidence that shows (recruiting),” Hatten said. “I just want to coach the kids in our program.
“I just know there were six (zoning) waivers turned in. Sometimes there are reasons given. Sometimes there aren’t. That’s a policy the school board has.”
ABOUT THE TIMING
After the Fort Walton Beach-to-Niceville transfers' drama and fallout, the district’s principals informally agreed to decline any transfers during the school year.
“I think the time of the kids transferring is based on not being able to transfer before,” Brunson said.
Both coaches declined to say the kids’ names, although Hatten said none of the six were starters last fall for Crestview. Baker’s smaller student population — 452 students last school year — means smaller sports rosters and potential for more playing time. Crestview had 1,890 students last school year.
Baker also has had more recent football success, at one point last season sporting a 20-game regular-season winning streak. Crestview, a Class 6A program, has missed the postseason the last few years.
TRANSFERING AND EASE
The Okaloosa County School District’s waiver form states it is designed for educational purposes, but a school district spokesperson said that language is outdated.
It is widely believed that the process to transfer or get a zoning waiver approved is easy, which fosters an environment where many students transfer for athletic reasons.
As of Feb. 4, there were 834 high school students on zoning waivers, either by transferring during high school or starting there as a freshman. Of them, 303 participated in athletics.
Baker had 79 students on zoning waivers, fourth highest among the district’s six high schools, and had just 23 students zoned for it but attending elsewhere.
Crestview had the district’s lowest number of students on zoning waivers, 19, and had 194 students zoned for it but attending another school.
A TRANSFER'S EASE
It is well documented how easy transferring is in the Okaloosa County School District, and how athletics plays a role in zoning waivers.
The school district is split into six zoning districts — one per high school. Students are designated to attend the elementary, middle and high school for whichever district they live.
However, the district follows the state’s “School Choice” policy, meaning students can apply for a zoning waiver to transfer from their zoned schools to attend one for which they aren’t zoned.
The only things needed are the signature of a parent or legal guardian and approval from the incoming school’s principal.
To contact Devin Golden of the Northwest Florida Daily News, send him an email, Tweet, or call 315-4476.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Group of Crestview football players transfers to Baker