If the state’s education commissioner approves, starting next year public and non-public high schools will be split into two statewide football conferences — a controversial move meant to help protect public schools from the powerhouse private competitors that have developed over the last several years.

The NJSIAA vote Monday to change the policy was 215-128 with 2 abstentions, according to a report by NJ Advance Media. It takes effect in 2016 provided the commissioner approves. The new conference for non-public schools will set its own rules and schedules — and won't include any sport other than football.

As noted in a previous New Jersey 101.5 report, several non-public high schools have traditionally recruited the best athletes in the state to join their programs, giving them a distinct advantage over public high schools that can only draw athletes from within their own districts.

Steve Timko, the executive director of the NJSIAA, previously told New Jersey 101.5 the idea was formulated after careful review over several months and it would put about 40 private schools in their own conference.

The NJ Advance Media report notes prominent non-public schools including Don Bosco Prep, Bergen Catholic, St. Peter’s Prep and Paramus Catholic "have become national football powerhouses" — making it hard for public schools to keep up.

The idea of a split had far more traction in northern New Jersey than in the southern part of the state, where school officials say public and non-public schools have few problems.

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