The burden is especially heavy on South Jersey Catholic schools. The proposals require families (plus cheerleaders, student body, alumni and fans) to bear an unjust burden by forcing them into excessive time and expense to travel greater distances more frequently to attend a child or friend's school athletic events.

On December 16, the New Jersey Catholic Conference and all the Bishops in New Jersey petitioned the Commissioner to reject Ballot Proposals 1 and 4 (detail below) presented for his review by the NJSIAA (New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association).

The Bishops further believe these proposals are just the start of this effort to separate public school and non-public schools in all sports programs. This could exacerbate the negative effect on schools and destroy long standing traditions of healthy competition that have benefited generations of student-athletes throughout the State and especially here in South Jersey.