Official Minutes of the
First FHSAA Representative Assembly

Monday & Tuesday, Apr. 20-21, 1998
Daytona Beach Hilton
Daytona Beach, Florida


Pursuant to due notice, the First Representative Assembly of the Florida High School Activities Association met at the Daytona Beach Hilton, Daytona Beach, Florida, on April 20-21, 1998.

The following delegates were present: Ron Balazs, Miami Coral Park High School; Larry Bishop, Gainesville High School; William Blakemore, Lely High School (Naples); Earl Bramlett, Crystal River High School; Robert Bray, DeSoto County High School (Arcadia); Derrel Bryan, Superintendent of Hardee County Schools (Wauchula); Bill Cake, Alachua County School Board (Gainesville); James Colzie, South Miami High School; Bob Cotter, Clearwater Central Catholic High School; Bill Donivan, Cardinal Mooney High School (Sarasota); Paul Dyal, Taylor County Middle School (Perry); Richard Finlayson, Aucilla Christian Academy (Monticello); Joe Furnari, South Dade High School (Homestead); Ralph Gilchrest, Lake Gibson High School (Lakeland); Nick Grasso, Clearwater High School; Effie Grear, Glades Central High School (Belle Glade); Tom Greer, Osceola County School Board (Kissimmee); Walter Hall, Lakewood High School (St. Petersburg); Jim Hicks, Freeport High School; Sandra Kenna, Miami Country Day School; Richard LaBounty, Pensacola Catholic High School; Cheri Landry, Hamilton County High School (Jasper); Robin Largue, Pine Forest High School (Pensacola); Michael Leeds, Fort Pierce Central High School; Patricia Lucas, Manatee High School (Bradenton); Jeffrey Malloy, Oak Hall School (Gainesville); Pete Mascia, Douglas High School (Parkland); Craig Maughan, Trinity Preparatory School (Winter Park); Merry McDaris, Godby High School (Tallahassee); David McDonald, Middleburg High School; Thomas McIntyre, Rockledge High School; Brother Angelo Palmieri, Christopher Columbus High School (Miami); Jeff Paris, Miami Carol City High School; Wayne Pierson, Florida Department of Education (Tallahassee); Gary Preisser, West Orange High School (Winter Garden); Jay Rader, Palm Beach Gardens High School; Allyn Ramker, Boca Ciega High School (Gulfport); James Raufus, Canterbury School (Fort Myers); Donnie Read, Liberty County High School (Bristol); Jerry Reese, St. Andrew’s School (Boca Raton); Cheryl Renneckar, Gulf High School (New Port Richey); Jim Rigby, Santa Rosa County School Board (Milton); Thomas Rowland, Jay High School; Clyde Russell, John Carroll High School (Fort Pierce); Paula Steele, St. Augustine High School; Cletus Stutzman, Mount Dora Bible School; Milton Threadcraft, Mandarin High School (Jacksonville); Richard Toth, Mainland High School (Daytona Beach); James Vanover, Cooper City High School; David Ward, Union County High School (Lake Butler); Henry Washington, Chamberlain High School (Tampa); Bob West, Bishop Kenny High School (Jacksonville); and Michael Wyman, All Saints’ Academy (Winter Haven).

The following delegates were not present: Ken Brockington, Ribault High School (Jacksonville); David Hickey, Crystal River Middle School; Michael Lannon, Superintendent of Monroe County Schools (Key West); William McRae, Superintendent of Jefferson County Schools (Monticello); Bob Parks, Broward County School Board (Fort Lauderdale); Mildred Reed, Dunedin High School; and John Smith, Superintendent of Marion County Schools.

Representing the FHSAA staff were Commissioner Ronald Davis, Deputy Commissioner Ronald Allen, Administrative Assistant Dorothy Brunson, Director of Communications Jack E. Watford and Commissioner’s Secretary Holley Watcki.

Monday, April 20, Session

I. Call to Order. Pledge of Allegiance.

Commissioner Davis called the Assembly to order and led the pledge.

II. Completion of Expense Reimbursement Vouchers.

Commissioner Davis reviewed with delegates the procedure for completion of vouchers for reimbursement of travel expenses.

III. Roll Call of Delegates.

Mrs. Brunson called the roll of delegates. A total of 51 delegates responded.

IV. Adoption of Agenda.

A quorum being present, Commissioner Davis requested that Kelly Kilpatrick, principal of Jefferson County High School (Monticello) and chairman of the FHSAA Public Liaison Advisory Committee, be permitted to present that committee’s report to the Assembly following the election of the Vice Chairperson. This addition to the agenda was accepted without objection. It was moved by Mr. Threadcraft, seconded by Mr. Colzie and carried by a vote of 51-0 to adopt the agenda as amended.

V. Review of Assembly Operational Guidelines.

Commissioner Davis reviewed the operational guidelines for the Assembly which were drafted by the FHSAA staff. It was moved by Mr. McIntyre, seconded by Dr. McDonald and carried by a vote of 51-0 to adopt the operational guidelines as submitted.

VI. Election of Chairperson.

Commissioner Davis opened the floor to nominations for Chairperson. Mr. Ward nominated Mr. Rigby. It was moved by Mr. Gilchrest and seconded by Mr. Washington to close nominations. There being no other nominees, Rigby was installed as Chairperson without a vote.

VII. Election of Vice Chairperson.

Mr. Rigby opened the floor to nominations for Vice Chairperson. There being no nominations forthcoming, Dr. McDonald volunteered, without objection, to serve in that capacity.

VIII. Report of FHSAA Public Liaison Advisory Committee.

Mr. Kilpatrick reported briefly on the activities of the FHSAA Public Liaison Advisory Committee during the 1997-98 school year. He told delegates that the committee was in favor of eliminating the Application for Waiver of the Transfer Rule Form (or blue waiver) as a means of reducing the tension between public and nonpublic schools, and that the committee may propose such an amendment to the Bylaws for consideration by the Representative Assembly in 1999. Kilpatrick told delegates the committee also supported making accommodations for at-large representative for racial minorities, females and coaches on the FHSAA Board of Directors. On behalf of the committee, Kilpatrick urged delegates to oppose Proposal 5 and support Proposal 10.

IX. Discussion of Commissioners Proposed Revision to the Bylaws.

Mr. Rigby recognized Commissioner Davis, who proceeded to review with, and entertain questions from, delegates his proposed revision to the Bylaws of the Florida High School Activities Association. A number of delegates expressed concern over 17 new provisions that were included in the proposed revision, and asked if it would be in order to vote separately on each of those 17 new provisions. It was determined that it would not be in order to do so.

X. First Reading of Proposals to Amend the Bylaws.

Mrs. Watcki read the summary sentences for each of the 10 proposals to amend the Bylaws which were submitted by member school representatives, the FHSAA Board of Directors and Commissioner Davis as follows:

A. Proposal 1. A proposal to comprehensively revise the Bylaws of the Florida High School Activities Association; reorganizing and rewording existing Articles, codifying existing notes into Articles and creating new provisions. Sponsored by Commissioner Ronald N. Davis.

B. Proposal 2. A proposal to increase the number of times the Sectional Appeals Committees meet from eight times to nine times each school year, and to establish a window of dates during which these meetings must be held. Sponsored by Jay Rader, Athletic Director, Palm Beach Gardens High School.

C. Proposal 3. A proposal to establish minimum qualifications for an individual holding the position of Commissioner. Sponsored by Ernest Spiva, Principal, Rutherford High School (Springfield).

D. Proposal 4. A proposal to establish minimum qualifications for an individual holding the position of Deputy Commissioner. Sponsored by Ernest Spiva, Principal, Rutherford High School (Springfield).

E. Proposal 5. A proposal to require the conduct of separate state championship series competitions for public high schools and private high schools. Sponsored by Walter Miller, Principal, North Marion High School (Citra).

F. Proposal 6. A proposal to allow member schools to participate in tournaments with out-of-state schools which are members of “a” state association and the National Federation rather than “a state association which is also a member of the National Federation.” Sponsored by Richard J. Robbins, Athletic Director, Miami Norland High School.

G. Proposal 7. A proposal to eliminate the requirement that annual eligibility reports filed with the FHSAA Office be postmarked five days in advance of the first contest only for those member schools which use the Association’s electronic eligibility software. Sponsored by Jeffrey G. Haynes, Principal, Dixie Hollins High School (St. Petersburg) and Darin Slack, Athletic Director, The Master’s Academy (Winter Park).

H. Proposal 8. A proposal to eliminate the 15-day advance submission of official entry lists only for those member schools which use the Association’s electronic eligibility software. Sponsored by Jeffrey G. Haynes, Principal, Dixie Hollins High School (St. Petersburg) and Darin Slack, Athletic Director, The Master’s Academy (Winter Park).

I. Proposal 9. A proposal to eliminate the seven-day waiting period following a semester for determining a student’s eligibility or ineligibility for the following semester. Sponsored by Darin Slack, Athletic Director, The Master’s Academy (Winter Park).

J. Proposal 10. A proposal to allow member private schools flexibility in determining their grading scales. Sponsored by the FHSAA Board of Directors.

Following the reading of each proposal, Mr. Rigby recognized in order those individuals who had requested to address the Assembly relative to their support for or opposition against the proposal. Delegates also were permitted to ask questions of the speakers.

XI. Recess.

Mr. Rigby recognized Commissioner Davis who recommended to delegates that the starting time for the Tuesday session which was scheduled for 9 a.m. on the agenda be moved to 8:30 a.m. This earlier time would still be later than the advertised 8 a.m. starting time. It was moved by Dr. McDonald, seconded by Mr. Dyal and carried by a vote of 50-1 to begin the Tuesday session at 8:30 a.m. Rigby then declared the Assembly in recess until 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 21, 1998.

Tuesday, April 21, Session

XII. Call to Order. Pledge of Allegiance.

Chairman Rigby called the Assembly to order and led the pledge.

XIII. Roll Call of Delegates.

Mrs. Brunson called the roll of delegates. A total of 53 delegates responded.

XIV. Second Reading of Proposals to Amend the Bylaws and Vote of Delegates.

Mr. Rigby reviewed the voting procedures with delegates. A two-thirds majority vote in the affirmative of all votes cast (yes or no) is required to adopt a proposal.

A. Proposal 1 (comprehensive bylaws revision). Mrs. Watcki read the summary sentence and Mr. Rigby opened the floor to debate. It was moved by Mr. Read, seconded by Mr. Ramker and carried by a vote of 50-2 to amend Proposal 1 to include “rhythmic gymnastics” in the list of minor sports in Article 9.5.3. It was moved by Mr. Balazs, seconded by Mr. Paris and carried by a vote of 40-8 to amend Proposal 1 by deleting new provisions 3.3.2, 4.1.5, 4.3.6, 5.3.1, 5.4.2, 8.1.1, 8.1.2, 8.1.4, 8.2.1, 9.5.1, 9.6.1, 9.6.3, 9.6.4, 9.6.6, 11.3.2, 11.3.4, 11.4.1, 11.4.6, 11.15.1, 11.15.2, 12.1.3, 12.1.4, 13.1.4, 13.1.5 and 13.2.4. It was moved by Mr. Cotter, seconded by Mr. McIntyre and carried by a vote of 49-0 to amend Proposal 1 by adding the following verbiage to Article 10.1.1: “However, selected non-certified personnel employed by a district school board in accordance with the provisions of 6A-4.004 State Board of Education regulations, may also serve as coaches of major sports. All non-certified coaches of major sports must be registered with the Commissioner and approved by the District School Board for a member public school, the governing body for a member private school, or the cooperative board of directors for a member home education cooperative.” Following the debate, Rigby instructed Mrs. Brunson to call the roll of delegates, who voted as follows:
Yes (52) – Balazs, Bishop, Blakemore, Bramlett, Bray, Bryan, Cake, Colzie, Cotter, Donivan, Dyal, Finlayson, Furnari, Gilchrest, Grasso, Grear, Greer, Hall, Hicks, Kenna, LaBounty, Landry, Largue, Leeds, Lucas, Malloy, Mascia, McDaris, McDonald, McIntyre, Palmieri, Paris, Pierson, Preisser, Rader, Ramker, Raufus, Read, Reese, Renneckar, Rigby, Rowland, Russell, Steele, Stutzman, Threadcraft, Toth, Vanover, Ward, Washington, West, Wyman.
No (1) – Maughan.
Proposal 1 is adopted as amended (36 yes votes of 53 total votes was required).

B. Proposal 2 (meeting dates of Sectional Appeals Committees). Mrs. Watcki read the summary sentence and Mr. Rigby opened the floor to debate. Following the debate, Rigby instructed Mrs. Brunson to call the roll of delegates, who voted as follows:
Yes (53) – Balazs, Bishop, Blakemore, Bramlett, Bray, Bryan, Cake, Colzie, Cotter, Donivan, Dyal, Finlayson, Furnari, Gilchrest, Grasso, Grear, Greer, Hall, Hicks, Kenna, LaBounty, Landry, Largue, Leeds, Lucas, Malloy, Mascia, Maughan, McDaris, McDonald, McIntyre, Palmieri, Paris, Pierson, Preisser, Rader, Ramker, Raufus, Read, Reese, Renneckar, Rigby, Rowland, Russell, Steele, Stutzman, Threadcraft, Toth, Vanover, Ward, Washington, West, Wyman.
No (0) – None.
Proposal 2 is adopted (36 yes votes of 53 total votes was required).

C. Proposal 3 (qualifications for Commissioner position). Mrs. Watcki read the summary sentence and Mr. Rigby opened the floor to debate. Following the debate, Rigby instructed Mrs. Brunson to call the roll of delegates, who voted as follows:
Yes (25) – Bishop, Bramlett, Bryan, Cake, Gilchrest, Grasso, Grear, Hall, Hicks, Landry, Largue, Lucas, Mascia, McDaris, McDonald, Palmieri, Preisser, Read, Renneckar, Steele, Stutzman, Threadcraft, Vanover, Ward, Washington.
No (28) – Balazs, Blakemore, Bray, Colzie, Cotter, Donivan, Dyal, Finlayson, Furnari, Greer, Kenna, LaBounty, Leeds, Malloy, Maughan, McIntyre, Paris, Pierson, Rader, Ramker, Raufus, Reese, Rigby, Rowland, Russell, Toth, West, Wyman.
Proposal 3 is not adopted (36 yes votes of 53 total votes was required).

D. Proposal 4 (qualifications for Deputy Commissioner position). Mrs. Watcki read the summary sentence and Mr. Rigby opened the floor to debate. Following the debate, Rigby instructed Mrs. Brunson to call the roll of delegates, who voted as follows:
Yes (25) – Bishop, Bramlett, Bryan, Cake, Gilchrest, Grasso, Grear, Hall, Hicks, Landry, Largue, Lucas, Mascia, McDaris, McDonald, Palmieri, Preisser, Read, Renneckar, Steele, Stutzman, Threadcraft, Vanover, Ward, Washington.
No (28) – Balazs, Blakemore, Bray, Colzie, Cotter, Donivan, Dyal, Finlayson, Furnari, Greer, Kenna, LaBounty, Leeds, Malloy, Maughan, McIntyre, Paris, Pierson, Rader, Ramker, Raufus, Reese, Rigby, Rowland, Russell, Toth, West, Wyman.
Proposal 4 is not adopted (36 yes votes of 53 total votes was required).

E. Proposal 5 (conduct of separate playoffs for public and private schools). Mrs. Watcki read the summary sentence and Mr. Rigby opened the floor to debate. Following the debate, Rigby instructed Mrs. Brunson to call the roll of delegates, who voted as follows:
Yes (8) – Bishop, Bramlett, Cake, Dyal, Landry, McDonald, Read, Rigby.
No (45) – Balazs, Blakemore, Bray, Bryan, Colzie, Cotter, Donivan, Finlayson, Furnari, Gilchrest, Grasso, Grear, Greer, Hall, Hicks, Kenna, LaBounty, Largue, Leeds, Lucas, Malloy, Mascia, Maughan, McDaris, McIntyre, Palmieri, Paris, Pierson, Preisser, Rader, Ramker, Raufus, Reese, Renneckar, Rowland, Russell, Steele, Stutzman, Threadcraft, Toth, Vanover, Ward, Washington, West, Wyman.
Proposal 5 is not adopted (36 yes votes of 53 total votes was required).

F. Proposal 6 (participation with out-of-schools which are not members of the National Federation). Mrs. Watcki read the summary sentence and Mr. Rigby opened the floor to debate. Following the debate, Rigby instructed Mrs. Brunson to call the roll of delegates, who voted as follows:
Yes (32) – Bishop, Cake, Cotter, Donivan, Dyal, Finlayson, Greer, Hall, Hicks, LaBounty, Landry, Largue, Malloy, Mascia, Maughan, McDaris, McIntyre, Paris, Preisser, Ramker, Raufus, Read, Renneckar, Rigby, Rowland, Russell, Steele, Threadcraft, Vanover, Ward, West, Wyman.
No (19) – Balazs, Blakemore, Bramlett, Bray, Bryan, Colzie, Furnari, Grasso, Grear, Kenna, Leeds, Lucas, McDonald, Palmieri, Pierson, Rader, Reese, Toth, Washington.
Did Not Vote (2) – Gilchrest, Stutzman.
Proposal 6 is not adopted (34 yes votes of 51 total votes was required).

G. Proposal 7 (elimination of five-day waiting period for eligibility of students in schools which use Association’s electronic eligibility software). Mrs. Watcki read the summary sentence and Mr. Rigby opened the floor to debate. Following the debate, Rigby instructed Mrs. Brunson to call the roll of delegates, who voted as follows:
Yes (53) – Balazs, Bishop, Blakemore, Bramlett, Bray, Bryan, Cake, Colzie, Cotter, Donivan, Dyal, Finlayson, Furnari, Gilchrest, Grasso, Grear, Greer, Hall, Hicks, Kenna, LaBounty, Landry, Largue, Leeds, Lucas, Malloy, Mascia, Maughan, McDaris, McDonald, McIntyre, Palmieri, Paris, Pierson, Preisser, Rader, Ramker, Raufus, Read, Reese, Renneckar, Rigby, Rowland, Russell, Steele, Stutzman, Threadcraft, Toth, Vanover, Ward, Washington, West, Wyman.
No (0) – None.
Proposal 7 is adopted (36 yes votes of 53 total votes was required).

H. Proposal 8 (elimination of 15-day advance submission of official entry lists for schools which use Association’s electronic eligibility software). Mrs. Watcki read the summary sentence and Mr. Rigby opened the floor to debate. Following the debate, Rigby instructed Mrs. Brunson to call the roll of delegates, who voted as follows:
Yes (0) – None.
No (53) – Balazs, Bishop, Blakemore, Bramlett, Bray, Bryan, Cake, Colzie, Cotter, Donivan, Dyal, Finlayson, Furnari, Gilchrest, Grasso, Grear, Greer, Hall, Hicks, Kenna, LaBounty, Landry, Largue, Leeds, Lucas, Malloy, Mascia, Maughan, McDaris, McDonald, McIntyre, Palmieri, Paris, Pierson, Preisser, Rader, Ramker, Raufus, Read, Reese, Renneckar, Rigby, Rowland, Russell, Steele, Stutzman, Threadcraft, Toth, Vanover, Ward, Washington, West, Wyman.
Proposal 8 is not adopted (36 yes votes of 53 total votes was required).

I. Proposal 9 (elimination of seven-day waiting period for determining a students academic eligibility status following the conclusion of a semester). Mrs. Watcki read the summary sentence and Mr. Rigby opened the floor to debate. Following the debate, Rigby instructed Mrs. Brunson to call the roll of delegates, who voted as follows:
Yes (5) – Greer, LaBounty, Preisser, Read, Wyman.
No (48) – Balazs, Bishop, Blakemore, Bramlett, Bray, Bryan, Cake, Colzie, Cotter, Donivan, Dyal, Finlayson, Furnari, Gilchrest, Grasso, Grear, Hall, Hicks, Kenna, Landry, Largue, Leeds, Lucas, Malloy, Mascia, Maughan, McDaris, McDonald, McIntyre, Palmieri, Paris, Pierson, Rader, Ramker, Raufus, Reese, Renneckar, Rigby, Rowland, Russell, Steele, Stutzman, Threadcraft, Toth, Vanover, Ward, Washington, West.
Proposal 9 is not adopted (36 yes votes of 53 total votes was required).

J. Proposal 10 (private school flexibility in determining grading scales). Mrs. Watcki read the summary sentence and Mr. Rigby opened the floor to debate. Following the debate, Rigby instructed Mrs. Brunson to call the roll of delegates, who voted as follows:
Yes (8) – Finlayson, Kenna, Malloy, Maughan, Pierson, Raufus, Reese, Wyman.
No (45) – Balazs, Bishop, Blakemore, Bramlett, Bray, Bryan, Cake, Colzie, Cotter, Donivan, Dyal, Furnari, Gilchrest, Grasso, Grear, Greer, Hall, Hicks, LaBounty, Landry, Largue, Leeds, Lucas, Mascia, McDaris, McDonald, McIntyre, Palmieri, Paris, Preisser, Rader, Ramker, Read, Renneckar, Rigby, Rowland, Russell, Steele, Stutzman, Threadcraft, Toth, Vanover, Ward, Washington, West.
Proposal 10 is not adopted (36 yes votes of 53 total votes was required).

XV. Comments by Delegates to the Representative Assembly.

Mr. Rigby told delegates that it had been suggested to him by several members of the Assembly that a committee be appointed to review the new provisions that were not included in the adoption of Proposal 1 and to consider whether any of those provisions should be submitted as proposals for consideration by the Assembly in 1999. This committee also would review and study all other proposals which are submitted for consideration by the Assembly, report its findings to the Assembly and make recommendations on the adoption of such proposals. This committee, however, would not be able to block consideration of any proposal by the Assembly. It was moved by Mr. Read, seconded by Dr. Grear and carried by a vote of 47-3 that such a committee be formed. Following a brief discussion about the composition of the committee, it was moved by Mr. Finlayson, seconded by Mr. LaBounty and carried by a vote of 49-1 that the committee be comprised of 15 individuals – eight public school delegates, two from each section; four private school delegates, one from each section, one delegate representing the Florida School Boards Association; and two members of the FHSAA staff – and that the delegates in each administrative section select from among themselves the delegates to serve on the committee. Appointed to the committee were: Section 1 – Finlayson, McDaris, Read; Section 2 – Malloy, Renneckar, Toth; Section 3 – Donivan, Hall, Lucas; Section 4 – Balazs, Blakemore, Kenna; School Boards – Cake; and FHSAA staff –Brunson, Watford. Additionally, Rigby will request that FHSAA President Rick Misenti appoint two members of the Board of Directors to serve on the committee in a non-voting capacity to ensure that body has input into the process, and that the Board of Directors agree to fund the meetings of this committee.

XVI. Adjournment.

There being no further business to come before the Assembly, a motion by Dr. Lucas and seconded by Mr. Washington to adjourn prevailed.