Official Minutes of the
Florida High School Athletic Association
and Florida High School Athletic Association's Land Corporation
Board of Directors
Thursday & Friday, May 31-June 1, 2007
Orlando Airport Marriott
Orlando, Florida
Thursday, May 31, 2007 Appellate Hearings
Board Members Present:
Charles Bethel, Representative-At-Large, Miami
Bob Cotter, Athletic Director, Clearwater Central Catholic High School
Roger Dearing, Superintendent, Manatee County Public Schools, Bradenton
Richard Finlayson, Principal, Aucilla Christian Academy, Monticello (President-Elect)
Tom Greer, School Board Member, Osceola County School Board, St. Cloud
Eric Hinson, School Board Member, Gadsden County School Board, Quincy
Dave Horner, Athletic Director, Forest High School, Ocala
Jeff Malloy, Athletic Director, Oak Hall School, Gainesville (President)
Ernie Modugno, Athletic Director, Naples High School
Dalton Sheffield, Representative-At-Large, Crestview
Daniel Sims, Superintendent, Jackson County Public Schools, Marianna
Pamela Stewart, Deputy Chancellor for K-12 Education Quality, Florida DOE, Tallahassee
Keith Summers, Principal, Blountstown High School
Board Members Absent:
Luis Diaz, Principal, Alonso High School, Tampa
Chris McKeon, Athletic Director, Columbus High School, Miami
Marcos Moran, Representative-At-Large, Miami
Also in attendance:
John A. Stewart, FHSAA Commissioner
Cristina M. Alvarez, FHSAA Membership Services Coordinator
Roberta L. Elkins, FHSAA Comptroller
Tamara J. Forrester, FHSAA Associate Director of Athletics
Michael J. Herchel, FHSAA Network Administrator
Robert K. Hernberger Jr., FHSAA Assistant Director of Communications, recording secretary
Samuel A. “Sonny” Hester, FHSAA Associate Commissioner for Eligibility & Compliance
Paul K. McLaughlin, FHSAA Director of Athletics
Gary V. Pigott, FHSAA Associate Director of Athletics
Laurel M. Ring, FHSAA Communications Coordinator
Jamie C. Rohrer, FHSAA Associate Director of Athletics
M. Denarvise Thornton, FHSAA Senior Director of Athletic Operations and Officials
Jack E. Watford, FHSAA Director of Communications
Shanell L. Young, FHSAA Associate Director of Athletics
Leonard E. Ireland Jr., FHSAA General Counsel
1. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 9:02 a.m. by the chair, President Malloy, who also led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag. Members were present as noted above.
2. Welcome and announcements. Malloy gave Board members an overview of the appellate process and how the hearings will proceed.
3. Appeals. The Board of Directors heard two appeals with the following result:
A. Horeb Christian School (Hialeah) appealed the Commissioner’s decision to place the school on restrictive probation in all sports, limiting the school to participation in only regular season contests, effective through the 2007-08 school year and assess the school a $2,500 financial penalty for violations of Policy 38 E with regard to financial aid programs. MOTION by Summers, SECOND by Greer to deny the appeal and uphold the Commissioner’s decision, with a provision that the Commissioner is given the flexibility to review the restrictive probation and financial penalties given staff’s evaluation of the school’s efforts to correct the situation. CARRIED.
B. St. Petersburg Catholic High School appealed for a reduction in the Commissioner’s decision to place the school on restrictive probation in football effective through the 2009-10 school year. MOTION by Sheffield, SECOND by Finlayson to deny the appeal and uphold the Commissioner’s decision, with a provision that the Commissioner is given the flexibility to review the restrictive probation and financial penalties given staff’s evaluation of the school’s efforts to correct the situation. CARRIED.
4. Adjournment. There being no further appeals to be considered by the Board the meeting was adjourned at 9:48 a.m.
Friday, June 1, 2007 Business Meeting
Board Members Present:
Charles Bethel, Representative-At-Large, Miami
Bob Cotter, Athletic Director, Clearwater Central Catholic High School
Roger Dearing, Superintendent, Manatee County Public Schools, Bradenton
Richard Finlayson, Principal, Aucilla Christian Academy, Monticello (President-Elect)
Eric Hinson, School Board Member, Gadsden County School Board, Quincy
Dave Horner, Athletic Director, Forest High School, Ocala
Jeff Malloy, Athletic Director, Oak Hall School, Gainesville (President)
Ernie Modugno, Athletic Director, Naples High School
Dalton Sheffield, Representative-At-Large, Crestview
Daniel Sims, Superintendent, Jackson County Public Schools, Marianna
Pamela Stewart, Deputy Chancellor for K-12 Education Quality, Florida DOE, Tallahassee
Keith Summers, Principal, Blountstown High School
Board Members Absent:
Luis Diaz, Principal, Alonso High School, Tampa
Tom Greer, School Board Member, Osceola County School Board, St. Cloud
Chris McKeon, Athletic Director, Columbus High School, Miami
Marcos Moran, Representative-At-Large, Miami
Also in attendance:
John A. Stewart, FHSAA Commissioner
Cristina M. Alvarez, FHSAA Membership Services Coordinator
Roberta L. Elkins, FHSAA Comptroller
Tamara J. Forrester, FHSAA Associate Director of Athletics
Michael J. Herchel, FHSAA Network Administrator
Robert K. Hernberger Jr., FHSAA Assistant Director of Communications, recording secretary
Samuel A. “Sonny” Hester, FHSAA Associate Commissioner for Eligibility & Compliance
Paul K. McLaughlin, FHSAA Director of Athletics
Gary V. Pigott, FHSAA Associate Director of Athletics
Laurel M. Ring, FHSAA Communications Coordinator
Jamie C. Rohrer, FHSAA Associate Director of Athletics
M. Denarvise Thornton, FHSAA Senior Director of Athletic Operations and Officials
Jack E. Watford, FHSAA Director of Communications
Shanell L. Young, FHSAA Associate Director of Athletics
Leonard E. Ireland Jr., FHSAA General Counsel
1. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 9 a.m. by the chair, President Malloy, who also led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag. All members were present as noted above.
2. Welcome and Announcements. President Malloy welcomed Board members and noted the absence of Board members Diaz, Greer, McKeon and Moran.
3. Recognition of recipients of NFHS coaches awards. President Malloy and Commissioner Stewart recognized the following individuals, who were honored by the NFHS for their achievements in coaching: Craig Damon, head football coach, North Marion (Citra); Lorenzo Hands, head boys basketball coach, Palm Beach Lakes; Greg Hostetler, head girls basketball coach, Astronaut (Titusville); Michael Kypriss, head boys tennis coach, Dr. Krop (Miami); and Jesse Forbes, head boys track & field coach, Godby (Tallahassee).
4. Adoption of Agenda. MOTION by Dearing, SECOND by Horner to adopt the agenda for the meeting as presented. CARRIED.
5. Approval of Previous Minutes. MOTION by Bethel, SECOND by Sims to approve the minutes of the March 25-26, 2007 meeting as published. CARRIED.
6. Report of the President. President Malloy began his report by commenting that the previous night’s Academic All-State awards banquet was exceptional. He commended Commissioner Stewart and his leadership team for their work with the Florida Legislature. Malloy mentioned the situations in baseball and softball affected by smoke conditions, and complimented staff on their handling of the issue and not putting student-athletes’ health at risk. Malloy closed his report by thanking Board members for their support during his term as President.
7. Report of the Commissioner. Commissioner Stewart began his report by thanking staff, as well as emcee Charles Davis, for their efforts with regard to the previous night’s Academic All-State awards banquet, and mentioned his admiration for young persons that can handle academic and athletic rigors, as well as provide service to their community. He discussed issues relative to the Florida Legislature, its impact on FHSAA-related endeavors and meetings with certain state senators and representatives. Stewart closed his report by announcing his retirement from the Association, effective Nov. 1, 2008.
MOTION by Finlayson, SECOND by Sims to approve Thursday, July 5, 2007 as a paid holiday for FHSAA staff, and provide the Commissioner with the authority to grant staff an additional paid holiday if the Fourth of July holiday falls on a Tuesday or Wednesday. CARRIED.
8. Report of the Finance Committee. Malloy recognized committee chair Sheffield who presented the following report:
A. Comptroller Elkins presented the FHSAA financial statements for the period ending April 30 2007. MOTION by Sheffield, SECOND by Dearing to approve the FHSAA financial statements as presented. CARRIED.
B. Comptroller Elkins presented for preliminary approval the FHSAA operating budget for the 2007-08 fiscal year. MOTION by Sheffield, SECOND by Summers to grant preliminary approval for the 2007-08 FHSAA operating budget as presented. CARRIED. A final operating budget for the 2007-08 fiscal year will be presented to the Board of Directors for its approval at the Sept. 24, 2007 meeting.
General counsel Ireland noted that the Board is sitting as the FHSAA Land Corporation Board of Directors for items C and D.
C. Elkins presented the Land Corporation financial statements for the period ending April 30, 2007. MOTION by Sheffield, SECOND by Sims to approve the Land Corporation financial statements as presented. CARRIED.
D. Comptroller Elkins presented for preliminary approval the Land Corporation operating budget for the 2007-08 fiscal year. MOTION by Sheffield, SECOND by Bethel to grant preliminary approval for the 2007-08 Land Corporation operating budget as presented. CARRIED. A final operating budget for the 2007-08 fiscal year will be presented to the Board of Directors for its approval at the Sept. 24, 2007 meeting.
E. MOTION by Sheffield, SECOND by Summers to approve a recommendation to assess a $15 administrative fee to contest officials who choose to take the rules examination at a testing site rather than on line. CARRIED.
F. MOTION by Sheffield, SECOND by Horner to approve a recommendation to increase the maximum compensation that can be paid to a district event manager from $50 to $100 for the entire event, and establish a maximum compensation of $50 that can be paid to a regional event manager for the entire event. CARRIED.
9. Report of the Governance Committee. Malloy recognized committee vice chair Dearing who presented a report on the following items:
A. MOTION by Dearing, SECOND by Finlayson to approve the re-election of continuing member schools to membership in the Association for the 2007-08 school year, with the stipulation that schools filing late renewal be assessed 50 percent of their membership dues as a late fee. CARRIED.
B. MOTION by Dearing, SECOND by Finlayson to approve the provisional admission of schools that applied for first-time membership effective with the 2007-08 school year. CARRIED.
C. MOTION by Dearing, SECOND by Finlayson to approve applications considered for approved nonmember school status for the 2007-08 school year. CARRIED.
D. MOTION by Dearing, SECOND by Hinson to approve a recommendation to amend the “Policy on Recruiting” to clarify existing provisions, add new provisions, and include authorization of “Compliance with Policy on Recruiting Affidavit” that must be signed by each student who transfers attendance at any time (including the summer period) after first beginning the ninth grade, the student’s parents/guardians, as well as the principal, athletic director and head coach of the receiving school, as recommended by the Student-Athlete Recruiting Task Force. CARRIED.
E. Reviewed legislation of the 2007 Florida Legislature that impact FHSAA, including an update on the Jessica Lunsford Act, and the passing of the steroids testing bill.
B. MOTION by Dearing, SECOND by Finlayson to authorize Commissioner and staff to proceed with implementation of a one-year random steroid testing program, pending the bill becoming law and discussions of final arrangements with bill sponsors. CARRIED.
C. MOTION by Dearing, SECOND by Modugno to table until the Board of Directors’ September 24, 2007 meeting the concept of a new “Policy on Enforcement” to establish a new process for the determination of findings, the imposition of penalties, and the consideration of appeals of such findings and penalties in cases of major rules violations committed by member schools. CARRIED.
10. Report of the Operations Committee. Malloy recognized committee vice chair Cotter who presented the following report:
A. Recommendations of the Basketball Advisory Committee.
The Basketball Advisory Committee did not submit any recommendations for consideration. Minutes of the committee’s March 6, 2007 meeting were provided.
B. Recommendations of the Soccer Advisory Committee.
The Soccer Advisory Committee did not submit any recommendations for consideration. Minutes of the committee’s March 6, 2007 meeting were provided.
C. Recommendations of the Wrestling Advisory Committee.
1. MOTION by Cotter, SECOND by Horner to deny a recommendation to amend Wrestling Regulation 104.03(a) to stipulate that regular season tournaments may also be categorized as a combination of dual-team and individual tournament formats. CARRIED.
2. MOTION by Cotter, SECOND by Horner to approve a recommendation to amend Wrestling Regulation 106.03 to change the date of the implementation for the 2-pound growth allowance from the Saturday following January 1 (January 6 this year) to December 26 of each year. CARRIED.
3. MOTION by Cotter, SECOND by Horner to approve a recommendation to amend NWCA Optimal Performance Calculator criteria for establishing certified minimum weights, Wrestling Manual Appendix F, Section I, sub-paragraphs (b)2 and (b)3 to change the variance in certified weight for assignment to an NFHS wrestling weight class from one-half pound to one pound. CARRIED.
D. Recommendations of the Cheerleading Advisory Panel.
1. MOTION by Cotter, SECOND by Dearing to approve the conduct of an Inaugural FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading Championships event during the 2007-08 school year consisting of semifinal and final rounds at one central site. CARRIED.
2. MOTION by Cotter, SECOND by Sims to approve a recommendation to establish the interscholastic season for competitive cheerleading to begin with the Monday of Week 6 (first day of fall sports practice) and conclude with the state championship event in March, whereas the FHSAA staff would determine the exact dates for the state championship event. CARRIED.
3. MOTION by Cotter, SECOND by Dearing to approve a recommendation to conduct state championship competition in the following girls-only divisions (a team cannot exceed 26 total members): small (up to 12 participants); medium (13-16 participants); large (17-20 participants); and extra large (21-26 participants). CARRIED.
4. MOTION by Cotter, SECOND by P. Stewart to approve a recommendation to conduct state championship competition in the following co-ed divisions (a team cannot exceed 26 total members): small (1-4 boys on the team); and large (5 or more boys on the team). CARRIED.
5. MOTION by Cotter, SECOND by Finlayson to approve a recommendation to conduct state championship competition in the following additional divisions (a team cannot exceed 26 total members): non-tumbling; and non-mount. CARRIED.
E. MOTION by Cotter to approve a recommendation to adopt a proposed amendment to the previously adopted use of double-dual (3-whistle) officiating system in soccer to provide that it is optional during the regular season and district tournaments, but that it will be mandatory in the state championship series from the regional tournament semifinal round through the FHSAA Finals. FAILED FOR LACK OF A SECOND.
F. MOTION by Cotter, SECOND by Horner to approve a recommendation to adopt a proposed amendment to Contest Officials Regulation 902.01, “Maximum Pay Scale,” for soccer to reflect new game fees for double-dual (3-whistle) officiating system in the state championship series from the regional tournament semifinal round through the FHSAA Finals. CARRIED.
G. MOTION by Cotter, SECOND by Modugno to approve a recommendation to require, effective with the 2008-09 school year, that a member school team in any sport must play not less than 60 percent of its total regular season contests against other member school teams to be eligible for participation in the state championship series in that sport. CARRIED.
H. MOTION by Cotter, SECOND by Horner to approve a recommendation to require, effective with the 2008-09 school year, that a member school team in any sport cannot take more than one trip each year beyond the neighboring states of Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi to compete in interscholastic competition. CARRIED.
J. MOTION by Cotter, SECOND by Modugno to approve the adoption of the Coaches Education Program. CARRIED.
K. MOTION by Cotter, SECOND by Horner to approve a recommendation to amend the “Penalty Code” to provide a minimum $500 fine to be assessed a school whose students or other spectators storm the playing field, court or pool at the conclusion of an athletic contest, with a stipulation that the fine may be increased based upon the severity of the incident. CARRIED.
L. MOTION by Cotter, SECOND by Dearing to approve a recommendation to amend “General Policies on Interscholastic Contests” to delete sub-paragraph 5(d), which prohibits tournament contests and meets from beginning earlier than 3 p.m. CARRIED.
M. Discussion on the staff conceptualization of a possible “Super Six” tournament of champions in girls and boys basketball was WITHDRAWN.
11. Election of President-Elect for 2007-08 school year.
President Malloy opened the floor for nominations for the office of President-Elect for the 2007-08 school year. The name of Danny Sims was placed into nomination by Sheffield. MOTION by Summers, SECOND by Finlayson that nominations be ceased and Sims be elected to the office of President-Elect for the 2007-08 school year. CARRIED.
12. Discussion/Information Items.
A. General counsel Ireland reported on lawsuits in which the Association is involved.
13. Recognition of outgoing Board members. Stewart and Malloy displayed a plaque and lifetime pass that will be sent to Board member Diaz in recognition of his service to the Association.
14. Recognition of outgoing President. Stewart and Finlayson presented President Malloy with the President’s plaque, gavel and ring to commemorate his service as President of the Board of Directors.
15. Comments and requests from members of the Board of Directors.
Several Board members complimented staff on the previous night’s Academic All-State awards banquet, as well as outgoing President Malloy for his leadership and commitment to the Association’s sportsmanship initiative. Horner thanked staff and Board members for the card sent to his wife, as well as Senior Director of Athletics Denarvise Thornton and Associate Director of Athletics Jamie Rohrer for the competitive cheerleading clinic they conducted. Finlayson mentioned the Association’s need to be proactive in working with legislators, and that a commissioner selection committee would meet prior to the Board’s September meeting. Cotter thanked the Sarasota host committee for their conduct of the recent FHSAA Baseball Finals state championship tournament at Ed Smith Stadium, mentioning that his school’s student-athlete had an excellent experience and offering the quote, “Success is more permanent when you don’t compromise your principles.”
16. Schedule of upcoming meetings of the Board of Directors.
Stewart reminded Board members that the next meeting of the Board of Directors will take place Monday, September 24, 2007 at the Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building in Gainesville. Appeals and committee meetings will be held on Sunday, September 23, 2007 at the same location.
17. Adjournment.
With no further business to come before the Board of Directors, the meeting was adjourned at 1:02 p.m.