Wauwatosa lawsuit over conference realignment officially dismissed

This may have been seen as a formality to many, but the lawsuit filed by the Wauwatosa School District over realignment in Southeastern Wisconsin was officially dismissed Tuesday.

Andrew Gruman talked to superintendent Phil Ertl, who had some strong comments about the situation and hinted at additional appeals. It appears, however, that the greatest remaining obstacle to a new-look conference layout in 2017 has been cleared.

Several schools are still seeking relief from the current situation, citing a competitive imbalance. That won't necessarily mean the WIAA will take action, quickly or otherwise, to address it.

The major changes scheduled to take place, starting next fall, include:

• The Wisconsin Little Ten essentially disbanding and heading in a number of directions. Oconomowoc joins the Classic 8 to create a 9-team league (other teams: Waukesha West, Waukesha North, Waukesha South, Catholic Memorial, Arrowhead, Muskego, Kettle Moraine, Mukwonago).
• Wisconsin Lutheran moving from the Little Ten, Milwaukee Lutheran leaving the North Shore and West Allis Central leaving the Greater Metro to all join the Woodland. The Woodland West would include Wisco and WAC along with Pewaukee, New Berlin Eisenhower, Greendale, New Berlin West and Milwaukee Pius. The Woodland East would feature Greenfield, Messmer/Shorewood, Whitnall, South Milwaukee, Cudahy, Brown Deer and Milwaukee Lutheran.
• Wauwatosa West leaving the Woodland to take West Allis Central's vacancy and joining crosstown brother Wauwatosa East in the Greater Metro. Germantown also leavs the North Shore and joins the Greater Metro to create a 9-team league (other teams: Menomonee Falls, Sussex Hamilton, West Allis Hale, Brookfield Central, Brookfield East, Marquette).
• West Bend East, West Bend West and Hartford joining the North Shore to create a 9-team league with current members Homestead, Cedarburg, Whitefish Bay, Port Washington, Nicolet and Grafton.