SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — One predictable vote stands between Lake Tahoe high schools becoming part of the same Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association 3A-2A athletic league next fall.

The NIAA Board of Control will make a final vote Wednesday on sweeping realignment changes. Months of special committee meetings have shaped the NIAA's two-year emergency realignment proposals.

Nevada school superintendents approved emergency plans for reconfiguring Class 4A, 3A and 2A schools last month as the NIAA has tried to find ways to help its member schools save money during a lingering economic recession and keep student-athletes in classroom more.

“Nothing is for sure until (if and when) the board approves it next week,” said Donnie Nelson, the NIAA's assistant director.

If the NIAA passes the realignment proposal, the South Tahoe, Whittell, Incline, Truckee, North Tahoe and Sparks would become part of a Mount Rose League.

Both Whittell and South Tahoe administrations showed support of the proposed changes earlier this year.

“We are in the 3A,” said STHS Athletic Director Don Borges, who will make a presentation to the Lake Tahoe Unified School District board on Tuesday about the impact to the Vikings' athletic programs. “I have been at meetings with 3A athletic directors for the last two months. We are trying to put together schedules for our teams and new opponents for next year. So far we have put together tentative schedules for the fall of 2010-2011 athletic season.”

A petition circulated in town earlier last week, asking LTUSD to reconsider moving into the 3A-2A league for all of its sports programs. Dave Norton, the author of the campaign, suggested that while the realignment may be good for South Tahoe's football, baseball and basketball teams, it would serve a detriment to the school's soccer, cross-country running and track and field teams — some of which have continually excelled against Class 4A competition.