Official Minutes of the
Florida High School Athletic Association
and Florida High School Athletic Association's Land Corporation
Board of Directors
Thursday & Friday, June 12-13, 2008
One Ocean Resort
Jacksonville Beach, Florida
Thursday, June 13, 2008 Interviews for Executive Director Position and Appeals
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 School, Monticello (President)
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
Ernie Modugno, Athletic Director, Naples High School
Marcos Moran, Representative-At-Large, Miami
Dalton Sheffield, Representative-At-Large, Crestview
Daniel Sims, Superintendent, Jackson County Public Schools, Marianna (President-Elect)
Pamela Stewart, Deputy Chancellor for K-12 Educator Quality, Florida DOE, Tallahassee
Keith Summers, Principal, Blountstown Middle School
Greg Zornes, Assistant Principal, Largo High School
Board Members Absent:
Chris McKeon, Principal, Columbus High School, Miami
Also in Attendance:
John A. Stewart, FHSAA Executive Director and Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer
Cristina M. Alvarez, FHSAA Director of Media Relations and Marketing, recording secretary
Michael J. Herchel, FHSAA Network Administrator
Samuel A. “Sonny” Hester, FHSAA Senior Associate Executive Director/Chief Administrative Officer
Paul K. McLaughlin, Assistant Executive Director for Educational Services
Gary V. Pigott, FHSAA Senior Director of Athletics
Seth A. Polansky, FHSAA Director of Membership Services
Laurel M. Ring, FHSAA Director of Special Programs
Jamie C. Rohrer, FHSAA Director of Athletics
M. Denarvise Thornton, FHSAA Associate Executive Director for Athletic Administration
Shanell L. Young, FHSAA Director of Athletics
Leonard E. Ireland Jr., FHSAA General Counsel
1. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 8:42 a.m. by the chair, President Finlayson, who also led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag. Members were present as noted above.
2. Welcome and announcements. Finlayson welcomed Board members to the meeting. Executive Director Stewart noted a few items before interviews of the finalists began:
A. Introduction of three new Board members: Bob West (Bishop Kenny High School, Jacksonville), Russell Wambles (Apopka High School, Apopka), Mark Marsala (Seacrest Country Day, Naples).
3. Adoption of Agenda. MOTION by Horner, SECOND by Sims to approve the agenda as is. CARRIED.
4. Review of interview procedures. Finlayson and general counsel Ireland gave Board members an overview of the interview process and how the interviews will proceed. The interviews were done in alphabetical order:
a. James “Roger” Dearing – Superintendent of Manatee County – 8: 30 a.m.
b. Sonny Hester – Senior Associate Executive Director, FHSAA – 10 a.m.
c. Sam Ward – Principal, Fleming Island High School – 10:45 a.m.
Board Member Dearing recused himself from the vote for the position of executive director.
MOTION by Malloy, SECOND by Moran to change the voting procedure, instead of the previous voting adoption (listing the order of finalist by rank), one vote will be made for the desired candidate by each Board member. CARRIED.
The following 12 questions were asked in the same order to all three finalists:
1. Please describe your background in education and athletics. Include your personal experiences such as teaching, coaching, and administrative experiences.
2. Please describe what you consider to be the ideal role of the FHSAA Executive Director related to the following groups:
a. The Board of Directors
b. The FHSAA Staff
c. The member schools, both public and non public
d. The various school superintendents
e. The Florida Legislature
3. Please describe your experience in fiscal management, include your experiences with preparing and managing an annual budget of several million dollars.
4. Please describe your experience in personnel management, include the largest number of people you have supervised and the most challenging management opportunity you have encountered.
5. Please describe the manner in which you would continue the Association’s efforts to work with the Florida Legislature for the benefit of the member schools and student athletes.
6. As you know the membership of the Association varies from large urban public schools to small rural non-public schools. How would you propose to fairly and equitably serve all members with the long-range goal of keeping all members together under one Association?
7. Please describe your experience in developing and maintaining business partners or corporate sponsors.
8. Please describe your communication skills and experiences that will enable you to provide support to member schools and to foster relationships with other educational organizations, the State Department of Education and the state Legislature.
9. Please describe how you propose to work with staff as far as allowing them a voice, when appropriate, in the operation of the Association.
10. What will be your strategy for maintaining and ensuring the continuity of the current high level of services provided by the Association to its members?
11. Please tell the members of the Board why you would want to be the FHSAA Executive Director.
12. Are there any comments that you wish to make that you were not able to express in a response to earlier questions?
5. Selection of Executive Director. A ballot was given to each Board member to vote on which candidate they would like to see as the executive director. Each member had to sign the bottom of the ballot. Roger Dearing won the election by unanimous vote.
6. Recess. 11:15 a.m. The Board reconvened at 1:30 p.m.
7. Appeals. ::Note – Board member Moran was absent for the appeals hearings, Board member Dearing voted in the appeals process:: The Board of Directors heard four appeals with the following results:
A. Baypoint Schools (Homestead) appealed the waiver of Bylaw 3.7.1.1 (c, d, e), “Schools Not Eligible for FHSAA Championships”. MOTION by Modugno, SECOND by Sims to uphold the Bylaw. CARRIED.
B. St. Petersburg Catholic High School appealed the removal of the final year of the football program’s three-year probation period. MOTION by Horner, SECOND by Cotter to rescind the probation period. CARRIED.
C. Holmes County High School appealed the decision of the Section 1 Appeals Committee to deny the waiver of FHSAA Bylaw 11.5.1 for the benefit of student Daniel Herberth. MOTION by Greer, SECOND by Dearing to uphold the decision of the Section 1 Appeals Committee. FAILED. MOTION by Zornes, SECOND by Modugno to reverse the decision of the Section 1 Appeals Committee and allow Herberth eligibility for the 2008-09 fall season. CARRIED
D. Columbia High School appealed the decision of the Section 1 Appeals Committee to deny the waiver of FHSAA Bylaw 11.5.1 for the benefit of student Demetrius Scippio. MOTION by Greer, SECOND by Sims to uphold the decision of the Section 1 Appeals Committee. CARRIED.
8. Adjournment. There being no further appeals to be considered by the Board the meeting was adjourned at 3:07 p.m.
Friday, June 13, 2008 Business Meeting
Board Members Present:
Charles Bethel, Representative-At-Large, Miami
Roger Dearing, Superintendent, Manatee County Public Schools, Bradenton
Richard Finlayson, Principal, Aucilla Christian School, Monticello (President)
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
Ernie Modugno, Athletic Director, Naples High School
Daniel Sims, Superintendent, Jackson County Public Schools, Marianna (President-Elect)
Pamela Stewart, Deputy Chancellor for K-12 Educator Quality, Florida DOE, Tallahassee
Keith Summers, Principal, Blountstown Middle School
Greg Zornes, Assistant Principal, Largo High School
Board Members Absent:
Bob Cotter, Athletic Director, Clearwater Central Catholic High School
Chris McKeon, Principal, Columbus High School, Miami
Marcos Moran, Representative-At-Large, Miami
Dalton Sheffield, Representative-At-Large, Crestview
Also in Attendance:
John A. Stewart, FHSAA Executive Director and Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer
Cristina M. Alvarez, FHSAA Director of Media Relations and Marketing, recording secretary
Roberta L. Elkins, FHSAA Chief Financial Officer
Michael J. Herchel, FHSAA Network Administrator
Samuel A. “Sonny” Hester, FHSAA Senior Associate Executive Director/Chief Administrative Officer
Paul K. McLaughlin, Assistant Executive Director for Educational Services
Gary V. Pigott, FHSAA Senior Director of Athletics
Seth A. Polansky, FHSAA Director of Membership Services
Laurel M. Ring, FHSAA Director of Special Programs
Jamie C. Rohrer, FHSAA Director of Athletics
M. Denarvise Thornton, FHSAA Associate Executive Director for Athletic Administration
Shanell L. Young, FHSAA Director of Athletics
Leonard E. Ireland Jr., FHSAA General Counsel
1. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 9:08 a.m. by the chair, President Finlayson, who also led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag. All members were present as noted above.
2. Welcome and Announcements. President Finlayson welcomed Board members and noted the absence of Board member Cotter, McKeon, Moran, and Sheffield.
3. Adoption of Agenda. MOTION by Greer, SECOND by Summers to move item H1 to the front of the agenda, create a seventh item for the procedures for the new executive directors contract, and adopt the agenda for the meeting as printed. CARRIED.
4. Item H-1: Learning Through Sports (Supplement T). Brian Shulman made a presentation before the Board.
5. Adoption of Minutes of April 6-7, 2008 Meeting. MOTION by Dearing, SECOND by Sims to approve minutes as printed. CARRIED.
6. Report of the President. President Finlayson began his report by congratulating Bob West of Bishop Kenny for winning the election for the seat on the Board (replacing Finlayson). He gave thanks to the Board and to the FHSAA staff for their expertise and dedication to the student-athletes of the state. Finlayson continued by thanking Executive Director Stewart for his leadership to the Association and to the student-athletes of the state.
7. Report of the Executive Director. Executive Director Stewart began his report by congratulating Board Member Dearing on his election to be the next executive director. He continued by thanking Director of Special Programs Ring for all her hard work to put together the Academic All-State Banquet. Stewart named Steve Tupper, who will replace Board Member Greer. The board was informed Board Member Moran was resigning his position, and a replacement for Board Member Sheffield was needed. Stewart continued by stating Director of Athletics Tamara Forrester resigned. Stewart finished by explaining how the Officials Leadership Conference would begin a new advertising campaign for the Association to recruit officials.
8. Report of the Finance Committee. Finlayson recognized committee member Sheffield who presented the following report:
A. Chief Financial Officer Elkins presented the FHSAA financial statements for the period ending April 30, 2008. MOTION by Zornes, SECOND by Greer to approve the FHSAA financial statements as presented. CARRIED.
B. Elkins presented the preliminary budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009. MOTION by Zornes, SECOND by Greer to approve the preliminary budget as presented. CARRIED.
President Finlayson noted that the Board is sitting as the FHSAA Land Corporation, Inc. Board of Directors for item B.
C. Elkins presented the Land Corporation, Inc. financial statements for the period ending April 30, 2008. MOTION by Zornes, SECOND by Greer to approve the Land Corporation, Inc. financial statements as presented. CARRIED.
D. Elkins presented the Land Corporation, Inc. preliminary budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009. MOTION by Zornes, SECOND by Dearing approve the preliminary budget as presented. CARRIED.
President Finlayson noted that the Board is sitting as the FHSAA Board of Directors.
9. Report of the Governance Committee. Finlayson recognized committee chair Sims who presented the following report:
A. MOTION by Sims, SECOND by Summers to approve the 2008-09 Board of Directors meeting dates. CARRIED.
B. MOTION by Sims, SECOND by Horner to approve the following attorneys to the four Sectional Appeals Committees:
Section 1 – Mr. J. Patrick Floyd
Section 2 – Mr. James Collins
Section 3 – Mr. Scott Langston
Section 4 – TBA
CARRIED.
C. MOTION by Sims, SECOND by Dearing to approve the Board of Directors appointments to the Sectional Appeals Committee in sections 2, 3, and 4:
Section 1 – Mr. Eugene Lamb, Gadsden County Athletic Administrator
Section 2 – Mr. Lamarr Glenn, Athletic Director, Wekiva High School (Apopka)
Section 3 – Mrs. Christina Raburn, Assistant Principal, Durant High School (Plant City)
Section 4 – Pastor Jimmy Butler, Principal, Upperroom Christian Academy (Lauderhill)
CARRIED.
D. MOTION by Summers, SECOND by Bethel to appoint Chuck Sennett (Athletic Director, Miami Country Day School) to the private school seat on the Section 4 Appeals Committee. CARRIED.
E. MOTION by Sims, SECOND by Summers to ratify the appointments of FAANS to the Sectional Appeals:
Section 1 – Mr. Dan Worley, Principal, Trinity Christian (Jacksonville)
Section 2 – Mr. Greg Frescoln, Administrator, The First Academy (Leesburg)
Section 3 – Capt. Robert Fine, Headmaster, Admiral Farragut Academy (St. Petersburg)
Section 4 – Mr. Chris McKeon, Athletic Director, Christopher Columbus Catholic High School (Miami)
CARRIED.
F. MOTION by Sims, SECOND by Stewart to approve the clarification of the definition of Article 3.02.6 of the FHSAA Bylaws for an approved nonmember school. The wording is as follows: “An approved nonmember school can be a private school registered with the State of Florida Department of Education. A private school is defined as an institution not governed by a public school board, derives profit from tuition fees, and is not administered by local, state or national government.” CARRIED.
G. MOTION by Malloy, SECOND by Greer to approve the attached list of approved nonmember school status applications for the 2008-09 school year, excluding those schools that have not submitted the proper documentation, and Temple Christian Academy (Jacksonville). CARRIED.
H. MOTION by Sims, SECOND by Summers to approve the attached list of continuing member school applications for the 2008-09 school year, contingent upon following through the schools responsibilities by June 30, 2008. CARRIED.
I. MOTION by Malloy, SECOND by Greer to approve the attached list of approved nonmember school status applications for the 2008-09 school year, excluding those schools that have not submitted the proper documentation, and Temple Christian Academy (Jacksonville). CARRIED.
J. MOTION by Sims, SECOND by Summers to approve the attached list of continuing member school applications for the 2008-09 school year contingent upon following through school responsibilities by June 30, 2008. CARRIED.
K. MOTION by Sims, SECOND by Malloy to approve the attached list of first-time member school applications for the 2008-09 school year, excluding North Florida Educational Institute in Jacksonville (will be an approved nonmember) and Prince Community Academy in Tampa. CARRIED.
10. Report of the Operations Committee. Finlayson recognized committee chair Malloy who presented the following report:
A. Associate Executive Director Thornton presented an action on the recommendation to reduce the maximum number of contests that may be played by FHSAA schools. MOTION by Malloy, SECOND by Horner to deny the recommendation and leave this issue as a school-based decision. CARRIED.
B. Associate Executive Director Thornton presented an action on the recommendation to modify the Officials Advisory Committee meeting schedule:
- OAC meets annually in June (preferably prior to the Board of Directors meeting)
- Allow one member of the OAC to attend the respective sport committee meeting in an ex-officio capacity
MOTION by Malloy, SECOND by Horner to approve the recommendation. CARRIED.
C. Associate Executive Director Thornton proposed an action on the recommendation to amend the “Policy Governing Approval of Multi-School Athletic Events” that would modify the current policy to include the following:
- A $50 administrative fee assessed to FHSAA member schools participating in o out-of state events, which require FHSAA sanctioning
- Increase the number of teams and/or schools that may be represented in a tournament, without waiving any other policies for the benefit of participation; and
- List the minimum penalties for violation of the sanction policy
MOTION by Malloy, SECOND by Modugno to approve the recommendation with the following changes:
- There will be a $50 per team and/or school for invitational no matter the sport
- N-4 of the agenda, number 7 is rewritten to state: “A minimum financial penalty of $100.00 and/or administrative and/or restrictive probation will be assessed against any member school which violates any provision of this Sanction Policy.
CARRIED as amended.
D. Associate Executive Director Thornton presented an action on the recommendation to restructure the Athletic Directors Advisory Committee by:
- Increasing the number of representatives on the committee;
- Modifying term limitations;
- Establishing meeting dates;
- Clarifying election process
MOTION by Malloy, SECOND by Horner to accept the recommendation as printed. CARRIED.
11. The Officials Advisory Committee met on March 7-8, 2008, and recommends the following:
A. Baseball Officials Uniforms:
Allow baseball officials to wear different color shirts as long as they all wear the same color and style and display the FHSAA patch (insignia) appropriately.
MOTION by Malloy, SECOND by Horner to accept the recommendation. CARRIED.
B. Football Officials Mechanics:
Require local officials associations purchase and train with the current year’s version of the CCA 7-man mechanics manual, and that it be amended to include any PowerPoint presentation available for free to local associations.
MOTION by Malloy, SECOND by Dearing to accept the recommendation. CARRIED.
C.Amendments to the FHSAA Soccer Regulations Manual:
1. The manual states that the length of halves for JV soccer “may” be 30 minutes. Change “may” to “will”.
MOTION by Malloy, SECOND by Horner to deny the recommendation. CARRIED.
2. Number of officials for state finals: Increase FHSAA Finals soccer officiating crews from three to four officials and fund a game fee for the fourth official. Recommend a game fee of $35 and a document with duties to be developed.
MOTION by Malloy, SECOND by Horner to approve the recommendation. CARRIED.
3. Manual sections 106.05 (Girls) and 107.05 (Boys): Recommend two five (5) minute sudden-victory overtime periods in case of a tie. If still tied, the game ends in a tie.
MOTION by Malloy, SECOND by Modugno to deny the recommendation. CARRIED.
D. Recommendations of the Wrestling Advisory Committee:
1. Establish a dual-team state wrestling tournament. The FHSAA staff will establish a dual-team ad hoc committee to determine logistical details along with input from the Wrestling Advisory Committee.
MOTION by Malloy, SECOND by Horner to endorse the concept of establishing the committee. CARRIED.
2. Permit a JV match in conjunction with the varsity preseason classic matches.
MOTION by Malloy, SECOND by Modugno to deny the request. CARRIED.
12. Executive Director Stewart presented before the Board a recommendation to approve Thursday, July 3, 2008 as a paid holiday for the FHSAA Staff. MOTION by Summers, SECOND by Dearing to approve the request, adding when July 4th falls on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, the FHSAA Staff will receive the closest working day off as a paid holiday. CARRIED.
13. Executive Director Stewart presented before the Board the ratification of the President of the Board for the 2008-09 school year. MOTION by Dearing, SECOND by Greer to approve the ratification. CARRIED.
14. Election of the President-Elect for the 2008-09 Board of Directors:
Board Member Stewart nominated Board Member Zornes to the position. MOTION by Summers, SECOND by Greer to pass the nomination. CARRIED.
15. Procedures for Creating the Contract for the New Executive Director:
1. Board Member Greer suggested Board Member Sims and Legal Counsel Ireland work on negotiations (including the start date and salary, benefits). Board Member Greer also stated that Board Member Sims should finalize the contract. A gentleman’s agreement was made between Board Member Dearing and Executive Director Stewart to work together on the organizational items within the FHSAA (i.e. hiring of employees, firing of employees, financial matters, etc.). MOTION by Greer, SECOND by Modugno to pass the recommendation. CARRIED (Board Member Dearing recused vote).
2. Board Member Dearing proposed the passing of compensation for Executive Director Stewart in the form of 30 days paid time off. MOTION by Dearing, SECOND by Greer to approve 30 days to be added to Executive Director Stewart’s paid time off. CARRIED.
16. Discussion Items:
1. Board Member Summers proposed for discussion for the FHSAA staff to look into classification changes in 1A, 2A, and 3A to urban and rural classifications.
2. Associate Executive Director Thornton proposed for discussion the impact of eliminating the runner-up to advancing from the district to regional playoffs.
17. General counsel Ireland reported on lawsuits in which the Association is involved, which included the appeal of a case in Hillsborough County
18. Recognition:
Executive Director Stewart and President Finlayson recognized the following outgoing members of the Board: Board Member Horner, Board Member Greer, who both served two terms.
Executive Director Stewart and President-Elect Sims recognized President Finlayson for his contributions to the Board of Directors.
19. Comments and requests from members of the Board of Directors
Several Board members offered their gratitude for the previous night’s banquet. Board Member Dearing thanked the staff for all their support, and promised to serve the Association to the best of his ability. Board Member Malloy raised concerns about the lack of FHSAA Staff raises.
20. 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 on September 28, 2008, beginning with the hearing of appeals, and the general business meeting will take place on September 29, 2008. Both will take place at the Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building in Gainesville.
The Board of Directors will meet during the 2008-09 school year on the following dates:
September 28-29, 2008 at the Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building, Gainesville, FL
November 23-24, 2008 at the Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building, Gainesville, FL
January 25-26, 2009 at the Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building, Gainesville, FL
April 5-6, 2009 at the Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building, Gainesville, FL
June 4-5, 2009 at the Orlando Airport Marriott, Orlando, FL
21. Adjournment.
With no further business to come before the Board of Directors, the meeting was adjourned at 1:10 p.m.
Attest:
__________________________________________________ / _________________________
John A. Stewart, Ed.D, Executive Director Date
Approved:
__________________________________________________ / _________________________
Daniel Sims, President Date