Prior to the league’s annual Winter Sports Banquet, the South Central Ohio League board of control voted 5-3 to approve the secession of five schools.

“The proposal that was brought to the table by the Chillicothe principal that was to have the five schools league to form a new league, after next year,” WHS athletic director Troy Diels said.

Chillicothe, Hillsboro, McClain, Miami Trace and Washington have informed the league they are leaving to form a new league with Jackson.

The five schools looking to leave voted for the move while the three Clinton County schools — Clinton-Massie, East Clinton and Wilmington — voted against the move.

SCOL commissioner Jim Winner told the Times-Gazette in Hillsboro league by-laws require an 80 percent vote approval to leave the league sooner than the league’s by-law requirement.

Diels said most of the meeting “believe it or not, was business as usual. Planning ahead. Doing what’s best for kids.”

One new rule passed allowed for two teams to compete for a league championship in sports such as cross country.