Official Bylaw Proposals of the
Third FHSAA Representative Assembly

Monday & Tuesday, 10-11, 2000
Best Western Gateway Grand
Gainesville, Florida


Following is an FHSAA staff analysis of the 25 proposals to amend the Bylaws of the Florida High School Activities Association that have been submitted for consideration by the 2000 FHSAA Representative Assembly at its meeting April 10-11, 2000 at the Best Western Gateway hotel in Gainesville. (Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.)

Proposal 1
Cite: Bylaw 3.1.2(a).
Sponsor: Marni Jones, principal, Pinellas Home Educated Activities Teams (Gulfport).
Summary sentence: A proposal to change the sanctioning body for cooperative home education programs that wish to join the FHSAA from the Florida Parent Educators Association to the Home Educated Activities Teams, Inc.
Proposal as submitted: Rewrite provision (a) of existing Bylaw 3.1.2(a) as follows: "A cooperative of home education programs may become a member of this Association provided: (a) the cooperative is sanctioned by the Home Educated Activities Teams, Inc. Florida Parent Educators Association; . . ."
Intent of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: It is the intent of this proposed amendment to change the sanctioning organization of homeschool cooperatives which intend to join this association."
Rationale for proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: The rationale behind this proposal is the fact that the FPEA exists to provide information to new homeschoolers and host a homeschool convention. It is not in their mission or interest for athletics. They only represent approximately 15 percent of home educators statewide. An organization who understands and promotes the rules and regulations of the FHSAA should be in the position of sanctioning. An organization with experience, knowledge of rules and regulations, and a working relationship with the FHSAA is the ideal choice for sanctioning. The organization understands home education issues and has established relationships with the school community. The proposed amendment has the full backing of Brenda Dickinson, Home Education Foundation, who worked on the original writings of F.S. 232.425 and FHSAA Bylaws.
Impact of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: If adopted this would allow the protection of the integrity of future home educated groups who wish to join and afford them sanctioning by an organization which can offer experience and knowledge of the FHSAA rather than going to an organization without knowledge of the FHSAA or an understanding of the rules.
FHSAA staff analysis: The Florida Parent Educators Association was named as the sanctioning body for home school cooperatives wishing to join the FHSAA when this bylaw was rewritten to accommodate home school participation. At the time, it was felt that an organization independent of the FHSAA but familiar with the home school community needed to verify the legitimacy of such cooperatives. Home Educated Activities Teams, Inc. joined the FHSAA this school year as Pinellas H.E.A.T. and is the first cooperative to successfully field athletic teams and compete against other member schools. Because of its membership in the FHSAA, Home Educated Activities Teams, Inc. it is not an organization independent of this Association. If this proposal is adopted, it will create a situation in which this member school (Pinellas H.E.A.T.) has the authority to determine what other home school cooperatives can and cannot join the Association as a member school. This could be construed as a conflict of interest. The FHSAA Office has not confirmed that Brenda Dicksonson of the Home Education Foundation supports this proposal.
Fiscal impact on FHSAA: None.
Fiscal impact on member schools: None.

Proposal 2
Cite: Bylaw 4.1.3
Sponsor: Dr. J. Howard Hinesley, superintendent, Pinellas County School District.
Summary sentence: A proposal to expand the limited voting privileges of the President of the Board of Directors to include the privilege to cast his/her vote on a ballot for President and Vice President of the Board of Directors.
Proposal as submitted: Rewrite the penultimate sentence of existing Bylaw 4.1.3 as follows: ". . . The President shall have no vote except in case of a tie or in the case of electing President and Vice President of the Board of Directors."
Intent of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: None stated.
Rationale for proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: None stated.
Impact of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: None stated.
FHSAA staff analysis: The Board of Directors annually elects its officers for the upcoming school year at its June meeting. At the June 1999 meeting, a question arose as to whether the sitting President had a right to cast a ballot for his/her successor or the Vice President. The existing bylaw would indicate that he/she does not. However, Robert's Rules of Order suggests a ballot in an election is considered to be different than a vote on a policy issue. This proposal would clarify in the bylaws that the sitting President does have the right to cast such a ballot.
Fiscal impact on FHSAA: None.
Fiscal impact on member schools: None.

Proposal 3
Cite: Bylaw 4.4.3
Sponsor: Commissioner Robert W. Hughes.
Summary sentence: A proposal to delete from the bylaws reference to the Deputy Commissioner as the individual who will act as Commissioner as a result of the Commissioner's incapacity or inability to do so.
Proposal as submitted: Delete existing Bylaw 4.4.3.
Intent of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: The intent of this proposal is to remove from the bylaws the reference to the Deputy Commissioner as being the staff member who acts as Commissioner in the event the Commissioner himself/herself is unable to fulfill the duties of the position due to incapacitation or absence.
Rationale for proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: The Board of Directors in its contract with Commissioner Hughes gave him complete discretion with regard to the organizational structure of the FHSAA Office. All employees of the FHSAA are employed by the Commissioner as chief executive officer who, in turn, is employed on behalf of the Association by the Board of Directors. Exercising this discretion, Commissioner Hughes has eliminated the position known as Deputy Commissioner and replaced it with two Associate Commissioners – one over athletic operations and one over administration.
Impact of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: The impact of deleting the bylaw is to eliminate any reference to a position that no longer exists due to Commissioner Hughes' reorganization of the office staff.
FHSAA staff analysis: The Commissioner is the chief executive officer of the Association and is responsible for ensuring that the day-to-day operations of the Association are carried out. To accomplish this, it is necessary that he/she have a capable staff of administrators and support personnel. It also is necessary that the Commissioner have ultimate authority in hiring, supervising and organizing his/her staff. It is the Commissioner who works with his/her staff on a daily basis and best knows whom to designate to be in charge of the office and the Association in the event of his/her incapacitation or extended absence. It is not appropriate for the bylaws to designate to him/her which employee is deserving of this responsibility.
Fiscal impact on FHSAA: None.
Fiscal impact on member schools: None.

Proposal 4
Cite: 5.1.1
Sponsor: Commissioner Robert W. Hughes.
Summary sentence: A proposal to adjust the dates for mailing from and receiving back in to the FHSAA Office "Declaration of Candidacy" forms for seats on the Board of Directors, Sectional Appeals Committees and Representative Assembly.
Proposal as submitted: Rewrite paragraph (a) of existing Bylaw 5.1.1 as follows: "(a) No later than February 1 November 1 each year, the Commissioner shall mail to the representative of each member school in each administrative section in which a member of the Board of Directors and/or Sectional Appeals Committee is to be elected a letter requesting candidates for the seat(s) available. A member school representative who wishes to declare his/her candidacy for either a seat on the Board of Directors or the Sectional Appeals Committee shall make such declaration in writing to the Commissioner so that it is received in the office of the Association by February 15 November 15. The names of all candidates shall be announced not later than December 15."
Intent of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: To move until after the start of the second semester of the school year the dates on which member school representatives will be required to declare themselves candidates for a seat on one of the Association's three governmental bodies.
Rationale for proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: November is simply too early in the year for a member school representative to decide if he/she desires to run for a seat on one of the three bodies. Often there are personnel changes that occur at the semester break that could alter such intentions. For this reason, the Commissioner believes that February is a more reasonable month in which to obtain declarations of candidacy.
Impact of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: Member school representatives will have a better idea as to what their professional future holds before making a decision to run for a seat on one of the three bodies.
FHSAA staff analysis: Member school representatives may not be prepared in November to make the serious commitment to run for a seat on the Board of Directors, Sectional Appeals Committees and/or Representative Assembly in the second semester of the year. This Association has traditionally conducted its elections in the spring of the year, and continues to do so. This proposal would move the period in which candidacies are declared closer to the actual time of the election. It would still give candidates who wish to campaign for election a full month before ballots are mailed on or about April 1.
Fiscal impact on FHSAA: None.
Fiscal impact on member schools: None.

Proposal 5
Cite: 5.2.1
Sponsor: Commissioner Robert W. Hughes.
Summary sentence: A proposal to remove from the Bylaws the requirement that the Commissioner conduct a special election to fill a seat on the Board of Directors when a vacancy occurs prior to the Association's general election.
Proposal as submitted: Delete all verbiage of existing Bylaw 5.2.1 and replace as follows: "In the event a vacancy occurs in any seat on the Board of Directors that is held by an elected member school representative, the Board of Directors shall appoint a qualified individual from the representative group to fill the vacant seat until the next regularly scheduled election of this Association at which time an individual will be elected to serve the duration of the unexpired term."
Intent of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: To eliminate the need for the Commissioner to conduct a special election to fill a seat on the Board of Directors that becomes vacant prior to the Association's general election.
Rationale for proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: Consistency in the handling of vacancies on the Board of Directors, Sectional Appeals Committees and Representative Assembly; to eliminate the time and expense of conducting special elections; and to ensure that an Administrative Section is provided representation on the Board of Directors in a timely manner.
Impact of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: The Board of Directors will appoint a qualified individual from the representative group to fill a vacant seat on the Board of Directors until the next regularly scheduled election of the Association. FHSAA staff analysis: When mid-year vacancies occur on a Sectional Appeals Committee and/or Representative Assembly, the bylaws state that the Board of Directors must appoint a qualified individual from the representative group to fill that vacancy until the general election. This proposal would extend the same treatment to a mid-year vacancy on the Board of Directors. Such vacancies are rare, but the time and expense to conduct a special election to fill a vacancy for what could be just one meeting is not justifiable.
Fiscal impact on FHSAA: Will eliminate the expense of conducting a special election.
Fiscal impact on member schools: None.

Proposal 6
Cite: 6.3.1
Sponsor: Commissioner Robert W. Hughes.
Summary sentence: A proposal to remove from the Bylaws the requirement that the FHSAA Office reproduce and mail to all member schools a copy of the Association's annual financial audit.
Proposal as submitted: Rewrite existing Bylaw 6.3.1 as follows: "All accounts of this Association shall be audited annually by a certified public accountant and the report made available provided to any all member school schools upon request."
Intent of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: To make available to any member school a copy of the Association's annual financial audit when it is requested, rather than automatically reproducing and mailing a copy to all member schools.
Rationale for proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: The financial audit reports of this Association are lengthy documents which require tremendous expense to reproduce and ship. Schools which are interested in reviewing this information would still be able to receive a copy upon request. This would save the money wasted on reproducing and shipping the document to schools which have no interest in reviewing this information.
Impact of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: The Association will be able to save money on reproduction and shipping costs, while still providing the information to those schools that request to receive it.
FHSAA staff analysis: It must be stated up front that the FHSAA Office has not complied with the existing bylaw for more than 10 years. This is due to the spiraling cost of reproducing a document that has grown to many pages in length. Despite this, there has not been a protest from the membership over not receiving this information. Those schools that have requested the document have been provided with one. It is logical to assume that the number of schools that do not care to review this document far outnumber those who do. It, therefore, is far more practical to reproduce this document only for those who want it and request it than reproducing it for a majority of schools that simply will file it or, worse yet, place it in the trash without review.
Fiscal impact on FHSAA: Will eliminate the expense of reproducing and shipping the audit report to all member schools.
Fiscal impact on member schools: None.

Proposal 7
Cite: 9.1
Sponsor: Commissioner Robert W. Hughes.
Summary sentence: A proposal to remove from the bylaws and place into policy the provisions prohibiting practice games, etc. and practice and/or competition on Sunday.
Proposal as submitted: Delete and remove to policy existing Bylaws 9.1.2 and 9.1.4. Renumber existing Bylaw 9.1.3 as 9.1.2.
Intent of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: To remove from the bylaws provisions that are in actuality athletic regulations and not bylaws.
Rationale for proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: Both Florida Statutes and FHSAA Bylaws state that the Board of Directors has the authority to establish such guidelines, regulations, policies and procedures as are authorized by the Bylaws. Provisions dealing with practice and competition are regulations and not bylaws. Such provisions belong in Board policy where they can be adjusted as necessary without the need of a bylaw amendment.
Impact of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: The provisions will be moved to Board policy.
FHSAA staff analysis: The Board of Directors is empowered to set the length of seasons, the number of contests which may be played, etc. It, therefore, is logical that provisions dealing with practice games, etc. should also fall under its jurisdiction. Furthermore, any restrictions on the days of the week in which member schools may schedule practice or competition is a regulatory matter and is inappropriate as a bylaw provision.
Fiscal impact on FHSAA: None.
Fiscal impact on member schools: None.

Proposal 8
Cite: 9.5.2 and 9.5.3
Sponsor: Commissioner Robert W. Hughes.
Summary sentence: A proposal to remove from the bylaws provisions designating sports as either major or minor.
Proposal as submitted: Delete existing Bylaws 9.5.2 and 9.5.3.
Intent of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: To remove from the bylaws provisions that designate sports as having major or minor status.
Rationale for proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: The 1999 Representative Assembly adopted Bylaw 9.5.1 that directed the Board of Directors to categorize all sports as either "club", "recognized" or "sanctioned". At its March meeting, the Board of Directors adopted a policy as directed by the bylaw that will take effect July 1. It no longer is appropriate to designate sports as having major or minor status.
Impact of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: The provisions will be deleted.
FHSAA staff analysis: Staff can think of nothing that would be more offensive to a coach or student-athlete than to know that the state association considers their sport to be "minor." While these designations may have served a purpose within the Association decades ago. They no longer are appropriate in the 21st century when the FHSAA is striving to treat all sports equitably.
Fiscal impact on FHSAA: None.
Fiscal impact on member schools: None.

Proposal 9
Cite: 9.6.1 and 9.6.2
Sponsor: Commissioner Robert W. Hughes.
Summary sentence: A proposal to remove from the bylaws and place in policy provisions relating to contests that need approval by the Commissioner and the eligibility of middle schools and junior high schools to participate in high school tournaments or meets.
Proposal as submitted: Delete and remove to policy existing Bylaws 9.6.1 and 9.6.2. Renumber subsequent sections of Article 9.
Intent of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: To remove from the bylaws provisions that are in actuality athletic regulations and not bylaws.
Rationale for proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: Both Florida Statutes and FHSAA Bylaws state that the Board of Directors has the authority to establish such guidelines, regulations, policies and procedures as are authorized by the Bylaws. Provisions dealing with competitions that require the approval of the Commissioner and restricting the competition of middle schools and junior high schools are regulatory in nature. Such provisions belong in Board policy where they can be adjusted as necessary without the need of a bylaw amendment.
Impact of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: The provisions will be moved to Board policy.
FHSAA staff analysis: The Commissioner and Board of Directors continue to look at ways of reducing the financial burden on member schools. One area in which this could occur is in the area of regular season invitational tournaments and meets. The existing requirements of this bylaw are more restrictive than many other states. If, however, the Board of Directors is to give additional relief in this area, it is necessary that it control these provisions in policy.
Fiscal impact on FHSAA: Most likely will result in reduced revenue to the Association as these provisions are relieved by the Board of Directors.
Fiscal impact on member schools: Most likely will result in schools that host regular season tournaments and meets being able to keep a greater percentage of the revenue from those tournaments and meets as these restrictions are relieved by the Board of Directors.

Proposal 10
Cite: 9.8.1
Sponsor: Toby Harbeck, chairman, FHSAA Golf Advisory Committee.
Summary sentence: A proposal to restrict eligibility to participate in the FHSAA State Series to those member senior high schools that compete in at least two sanctioned sports each season.
Proposal as submitted: Rewrite the second sentence of existing Bylaw 9.8.1 as follows: "This Association may conduct state championship series to determine the official state champion(s) in those sports which are sanctioned by the Board of Directors. Participation in the state championship series shall be limited only to those senior high schools which are members of this Association and compete in at least two (2) sanctioned sports each season."
Intent of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: None stated.
Rationale for proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: Previously, some "specialty" schools have had an unfair advantage to recruit players for that sport. Special schools and academics are tied to specific sports, creating a concern over fair competition with schools that emphasize offering a more complete opportunity for sports participation. Encourage these "specialty" schools to more closely monitor their compliance with eligibility and residency requirements for their students that participate in sports.
Impact of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: None stated.
FHSAA staff analysis: This proposal is directed at schools that field an athletic team in only one or two sports in which their student-athletes specialize. By requiring that all member schools compete in at least two sanctioned sports during each sports season, such speciality schools will be required to diversify their athletic programs. It will require the Board of Directors to adopt a policy that expounds upon this bylaw and establishes procedures for its enforcement. The Commissioner supports this proposal. However, because it may adversely impact a number of small schools that do not currently sponsor programs in two sports each sports season, he will recommend to the Assembly that it be amended to state that its effective date be July 1, 2001. This will give those schools one year to comply with the new provisions of the bylaw.
Fiscal impact on FHSAA: None.
Fiscal impact on member schools: Those schools that currently are not in compliance with the provisions of the proposal will be required to budget additional athletic funds to sponsor programs in new sports.

Proposal 11
Cite: 9.9.2
Sponsors: Ron Balazs, athletic director, Miami Coral Park Senior High School; Louise Crocco, athletic director, Cardinal Gibbons High School (Fort Lauderdale); Clyde Metcalf, chairman, FHSAA Baseball Advisory Committee; Jeff Paris, athletic director, Miami Carol City Senior High School; Norman H. Wein Jr., athletic director, Episcopal High School (Jacksonville).
Summary sentence: A proposal to eliminate the restriction on coaches having contact with an off-season non-school team comprised of more than 50 percent of students from his/her school or feeder school.
Proposal as submitted: Delete existing Bylaw 9.9.2.
Intent of proposed amendment as stated by sponsors: Eliminate the 50/50 rule concerning contact with students. It is the intent of this proposal that all schools, no matter what their size or geographic location, will be treated equal and fairly.
Rationale for proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: The 50/50 rule is impossible to enforce and has led to charges of recruiting. While the argument is that elimination of this rule will lead to year-round teams, we have already seen this occur. The 50/50 rule is also impossible to achieve in small school districts where there might be only one high school in the area.
Impact of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: If adopted, this amendment would allow small public and private schools to have an off-season team. At present, a small rural school only has its own kids in the entire county. They cannot draw 50 percent of the team from other schools when there are no other schools. Would probably lead to specialization by student-athletes and year-round competition. Potential problems could be addressed by FHSAA Policies and Procedures.
FHSAA staff analysis: The FHSAA Board of Directors last year sponsored a proposal to eliminate this bylaw, but it failed to pass the Assembly. This year, a number of individuals and groups are sponsoring the same proposal. Enforcement of this rule is problematic at best. Schools that choose to abide by its provisions, do. Those that do not, don't. Schools in metropolitan areas can draw students from other schools to comprise 50 percent of their off-season teams. Schools in rural areas, especially those in single school counties, cannot. On this basis alone, the rule does not offer equal protection to all member schools.
Fiscal impact on FHSAA: None.
Fiscal impact on member schools: None.

Proposal 12
Cite: 10.0.0
Sponsor: Commissioner Robert W. Hughes.
Summary sentence: A proposal to ease the requirements placed on member schools with regard to whom they may hire as head coaches and assistant coaches.
Proposal as submitted: Delete all verbiage of existing Article 10 and replace with the following: "10.1 Head Coaches
10.1.1 A head coach in any sport that is recognized or sanctioned by the Association shall meet all requirements for coaches as set forth by the Florida Department of Education, and must be either:
(a) A full-time or part-time employee of the district school board for a member public school, the governing body for a member nonpublic school, or the cooperative board of directors for a member home education cooperative; or
(b) Under written contract with the district school board for a member public school, the governing body for a member nonpublic school, or the cooperative board of directors for a member home education cooperative to serve as a head coach.
10.1.2 When the head coach is not a full-time or part-time employee as set forth in Bylaw 10.1.1, the principal of the school shall assign a full-time or part-time employee to accompany the team or individual competitors to all interscholastic contests in which it/they participate. The principal shall also register with the Commissioner the name of the head coach and the assigned employee.
10.1.3 Each member school shall be represented by its head coach for the sport at an annual rules clinic sponsored by the Association in each sport in which it sponsors a program, provided rules clinics are conducted in that sport. Failure to comply with this requirement may be penalized by the Board of Directors.
10.2 Assistant Coaches
10.2.1 An assistant coach in any sport that is recognized or sanctioned by the Association must be either:
(a) A full-time or part-time employee of the district school board for a member public school, the governing body for a member nonpublic school, or the cooperative board of directors for a member home education cooperative; or
(b) Approved by the district school board for a member public school, the governing body for a member nonpublic school, or the cooperative board of directors for a member home education cooperative to serve as an assistant coach.
10.2.2 The principal shall register with the Commissioner the name of an assistant coach who is not a full-time or part-time employee as set forth in Bylaw 10.2.1."
Intent of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: To ease the requirements placed on member schools with regard to whom they may hire as head coaches and assistant coaches.
Rationale for proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: The rapid growth of athletic programs in this state, member schools are scrambling to find coaches wherever they can. It is the feeling of the Commissioner that schools should be able to contract with any qualified individual to be a head coach or assistant coach regardless of whether the individual is on the faculty of the school.
Impact of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: This proposal, if adopted, will permit schools to contract with qualified individuals who are not members of the faculty to be a head coach.
FHSAA staff analysis: This proposal is part of an ongoing project to attempt to deregulate at the state level decisions that are best made by the member schools. Commissioner Hughes will offer and amendment to the proposal to eliminate provisions 10.1.2 and 10.2.2. Thus, it will no longer be necessary for the principal to assign a faculty member to supervise a team coached by a non-faculty coach or to report the name of the non-faculty coach to the FHSAA Office. This is due to the fact that when a school contracts with an individual to be a coach, that individual becomes an employee of the school, if only to be a coach.
Fiscal impact on FHSAA: None.
Fiscal impact on member schools: May reduce the expense to schools that currently must pay faculty members to supervise athletic teams coached by non-faculty coaches during practice and competition.

Proposal 13
Cite: 11.1.5
Sponsor: Keith Summers, assistant principal, Blountstown Middle School.
Summary sentence: A proposal to permit students in public non-member middle schools and junior high schools that have no athletic programs to participate in interscholastic athletics on the junior high/junior varsity level at a member public school.
Proposal as submitted: Create new Bylaw 11.1.5 to read as follows: "A student in grades 6-8 who attends a public school which is a non-member and has no athletic program due to a low student population count. These students may participate at a member public school on the junior high/junior varsity level only. These students would be required to meet all other provisions of 11.2.13."
Intent of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: To allow students 6-8 who attend schools which are too small to field athletic teams the chance to participate at a school in that district which fields a team. Junior High level only.
Rationale for proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: Include students in schools previously overlooked the opportunity to participate. Home education students are eligible; these deserve the same consideration.
Impact of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: Create opportunity for students in very small junior high schools the opportunity to participate in athletics at other schools. There would be no impact on high school programs.
FHSAA staff analysis: This proposal would extend to students only in non-member public schools that do not have athletic programs the opportunity to participate in interscholastic athletics at a member public school, while not extending an equivalent opportunity to students in non-member private schools that do not have athletic programs. Additionally, the proposal does not address whether these schools must be under the control of the same district school board or even feeder schools.
Fiscal impact on FHSAA: None.
Fiscal impact on member schools: None.

Proposal 14
Cite: 11.2.1
Sponsor: Jay Rader, athletic director, Palm Beach Gardens High School.
Summary sentence: A proposal to count only those courses taken after entering the ninth grade toward the grade point average used for academic eligibility.
Proposal as submitted: Add the following to the end of existing Bylaw 11.2.1: " . . . since first entering the ninth grade. To determine G.P.A. for athletic eligibility, only courses taken after entering the ninth grade shall be counted. Courses taken in middle school for high school credit are not part of a student's G.P.A. for athletic eligibility purposes."
Intent of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: Only courses students take after they enter high school and are eligible to participate in high school athletics should be counted toward the 2.0 GPA. Courses taken in middle school that can earn high school credit toward graduation should not be part of the GPA required for athletic eligibility.
Rationale for proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: If a student is not eligible to participate in FHSAA activities because he/she is in a middle school that is not a combined middle/high school on one campus under one principal, then courses taken under those conditions should not count toward athletic eligibility. Current bylaws state that a ninth grade student is eligible if regularly promoted from the eighth grade. A ninth grade student can have a 2.0 for the first semester of the ninth grade, but a "D" in a high school credit class taken in the eighth grade for credit for graduation, and his/her GPA shows below a 2.0. It begs the question: is a regularly promoted ninth grader with a high school credit "D" from middle school eligible at the beginning of the ninth grade year?
Impact of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: It is my firm belief that neither the legislature that wrote the academic requirements nor the school districts that allow high school credits to transfer from middle school had any intention of impacting athletics. Eighth graders have no other high school rights (they are not counted for FTE purposes, etc.), nor do they have any standing with the FHSAA unless they are part of a multi-level school complex. This bylaw will allow students a real fresh start in high school, and hopefully force the legislature and/or local school districts to modify their language to meet their intent.
FHSAA staff analysis: To be handed out at meeting.
Fiscal impact on FHSAA: None.
Fiscal impact on member schools: None.

Proposal 15
Cite: 11.2.9
Sponsor: Jay Rader, athletic director, Palm Beach Gardens High School.
Summary sentence: A proposal to clarify when grades become official for determining academic eligibility for each semester.
Proposal as submitted: Insert after the first sentence of existing Bylaw 11.2.9 the following: ". . . after the last day of the previous semester. A student needs a 2.0 grade point average on the first day of the school year, as recorded in the official data processing record. All summer school grades and any incomplete grades from the previous school year must be included by the first day of the school year. For a mid-year semester, a student needs a 2.0 grade point average on the first day of a new semester or the day after the school district requires grades reported to data processing if the new semester begins before grades are due. If this entails more than seven days, the Commissioner must be notified in writing. Any grade adjustments after this time that affect a student's GPA and athletic eligibility must be reported to the Commissioner in writing. In order to be declared . . ."
Intent of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: Nowhere in the bylaws does it state these requirements specifically, yet this is the interpretation that the Commissioner's office is using. This addition closes the loophole about when a grade is official and clearly states when the grade requirement will be enforced. To parallel as much as possible the FHSAA interpretation about GPA for mid-semesters to be in line with beginning of the school year semesters.
Rationale for proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: The current bylaws state work must be completed by the end of the semester but do not stipulate when it has to be reported. When grades are computed in the grade book, when hey are submitted to data processing, and when they are posted at the district office may be three different days. Sometimes grades are not updated in a timely fashion over the summer break. This bylaw establishes a definite time frame in which all grades for athletic eligibility must be recorded. Beginning of school semesters and mid-year semesters have significant differences despite the first impulse similarity. Beginning of school semesters include summer school grades and it also provides more time to record grades. For mid-year semesters, there are already bylaws which allow for a seven-day period to determine grades, and a bylaw dealing with incompletes. There neets to be a bylaw that specifically deals with each type of semester. It should be noted that many mid-year semesters begin before student-athletes know their previous semester grades.
Impact of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: Eliminates possible confusion or ambiguity over time lines. It will force schools and school districts to deal with student-athletes grades in a more timely manner. A clearer understanding of how to determine athletic eligibility at mid-year semester . . . the timelines and how to deal with grade changes that are more common because of shorter time span between semesters.
FHSAA staff analysis: To be handed out at meeting.
Fiscal impact on FHSAA: None.
Fiscal impact on member schools: None.

Proposal 16
Cite: 11.3.7
Sponsor: Kip Cady, athletic director, Princeton Christian School.
Summary sentence: A proposal to restrict the eligibility of non-resident boarding school and/or foreign exchange students from another state or country.
Proposal as submitted: Create new Bylaw 11.3.7 to read as follows: "A school will be limited to one student-athlete per sport who is a non-resident board or exchange student from another state or country."
Intent of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: The intent of this amendment is to keep the Florida state championship series true to its purpose and title.
Rationale for proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: The reason for this amendment is that several South Dade area schools have brought in foreign students (boarding or exchange) to the point where: (a) out of the 10 starters in the '99 Class A boys basketball final game, eight out of 10 where not even from the state of Florida; (b) another Class A school without a boys basketball team in '99 now has nine non-resident players ranging in size from 6-6 to 6-10; (c) two other schools have brought in over a dozen foreign baseball players as boarding students.
Impact of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: If adopted, this amendment would level off the playing field so to speak and make the state series what it should be – games between the best that Florida has to offer.
FHSAA staff analysis: This proposal would limit the team roster in each sport at each member school to one student-athlete who is either a foreign exchange student or boarding school student who is from another state or country. Boarding schools, therefore, would have to establish a method by which to determine which of these students would receive that one slot on each team roster.
Fiscal impact on FHSAA: None.
Fiscal impact on member schools: Could negatively impact the revenue of boarding schools.

Proposal 17
Cite: 11.4.11
Sponsor: Commissioner Robert W. Hughes.
Summary sentence: A proposal to clarify that enrolling in a new school at the beginning of a school year does not release a student-athlete who has been declared ineligible at another school for disciplinary reasons from serving the period of ineligibility in the new school.
Proposal as submitted: Add the following to the end of existing Bylaw 11.4.11: ". . . enrolled in that school for a full semester. Enrolling in a new school at the beginning of the school year does not decrease or eliminate the period of ineligibility."
Intent of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: To close a loophole in this bylaw that could permit a student who had been declared ineligible in a school for disciplinary reasons near the end of the previous school year to avoid the period of ineligibility by enrolling in a new school at the beginning of the next school year since this move does not constitute a transfer as defined by FHSAA bylaws.
Rationale for proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: Students who have been declared ineligible for disciplinary reasons should not be able to avoid serving the period of ineligibility by enrolling in a new school at the beginning of the next school year, and therefore claim that he/she is not a transfer student as defined by FHSAA Bylaws.
Impact of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: Such students will not be able to take advantage of this loophole once it is closed.
FHSAA staff analysis: This proposal will ensure that all students who are declared ineligible for disciplinary reasons are required to serve the same period of ineligibility if they move to another school regardless of whether they transfer during the school year or enroll in a new school at the beginning of the next school year.
Fiscal impact on FHSAA: None.
Fiscal impact on member schools: None.

Proposal 18
Cite: 11.4.12
Sponsor: Commissioner Robert W. Hughes.
Summary sentence: A proposal to state that a student from another state or country who has been declared ineligible by the school or state association from which he/she is transferring is not eligible at an FHSAA member school until he/she has been enrolled in that school for one full semester.
Proposal as submitted: Create new Bylaw 11.4.12 to read as follows (renumber existing Bylaw 11.4.12 as 11.4.13 and subsequent bylaws as well): "A student who transfers to a member school from a school in another state or country who has been declared ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics by the school from which he/she is transferring or by a governing association of which that school is a member shall not be eligible to participate at the member school until he/she has been enrolled in that school for a full semester."
Intent of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: To treat a student who transfers to a member school from another state or country, but who was declared ineligible in his/her previous school according to the rules of the school or the state association to which it belongs, the same as a student who transfers from one school to another in-state.
Rationale for proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: Students who have been declared ineligible in another state or country should not be able to avoid serving the period of ineligibility by transferring to an FHSAA member school.
Impact of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: Students who have been declared ineligible in another state or country will not be able to come to Florida and immediately regain their eligibility without sitting out one full semester.
FHSAA staff analysis: This proposal will ensure that all students who are declared ineligible for disciplinary reasons are required to serve the same period of ineligibility if they move to another school regardless of whether they transfer from another state or country.
Fiscal impact on FHSAA: None.
Fiscal impact on member schools: None.

Proposal 19
Cite: 11.5.1
Sponsor: Commissioner Robert W. Hughes.
Summary sentence: A proposal to eliminate the expired language relative to a three-year limit of eligibility.
Proposal as submitted: Rewrite existing Bylaw 11.5.1 as follows: "A student shall be eligible for no more than four (4) consecutive academic years upon first successful completion of the eighth (8th) grade as defined by the pupil progression plan of the school in which the student is enrolled. A student who does not attend school, repeats any grade, is declared ineligible to participate, or otherwise fails to exercise the opportunity to participate for any reason for any length of time during this four-year period shall not be entitled to any additional period of eligibility. (This applies only to those students completing the eighth grade at the conclusion of the 1999-98 school year and thereafter. Otherwise, the following provisions shall apply.) The limit of eligibility for each student shall be three consecutive years from the time the student first enters the tenth grade. Four three years from the date he or she first successfully completes the eighth grade enters the tenth grade he or she shall become ineligible for further interscholastic athletic competition. A student who does not attend school, repeats any grade, is declared ineligible to participate, or otherwise fails to exercise the opportunity to participate for any reason for any length of time during this four-year period shall not be entitled to any additional period of eligibility. A student may participate in interscholastic athletic competition only one year as a ninth grade student. Original school records shall be submitted to the Commissioner in the event of conflicting information as to the date of first successful completion of the eighth grade or date of first entry into the tenth grade."
Intent of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: To delete all references to a three-year limit of eligibility from the bylaws.
Rationale for proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: Seniors graduating this year were the last students to be under the three-year limit of eligibility rule. All underclassmen are under the provisions of the four-year limit of eligibility rule. Therefore, it is not necessary to retain this language in the bylaw.
Impact of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: None. There will be no students in school next year who are under the three-year limit of eligibility rule.
FHSAA staff analysis: The move from the three-year to the four-year limit of eligibility rule occurred several years ago. However, all students already under the three-year rule were allowed to complete their high school eligibility under that rule. The last of those students exhausted their eligibility this school year. Therefore, there is no further need for the language referencing the three-year rule. This proposal does not change the existing rule, but simply eliminates language regarding a rule that no longer exists.
Fiscal impact on FHSAA: None.
Fiscal impact on member schools: None.

Proposal 20
Cite: 11.7.1
Sponsor: Commissioner Robert W. Hughes.
Summary sentence: A proposal to rewrite the existing bylaw on parental consent to state that both the student and his/her parents or guardians must sign a consent and release form to the principal before being allowed to participate in interscholastic athletic practice or competition.
Proposal as submitted: Delete all verbiage of existing Bylaw 11.7.1 and replace with the following: "The student and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) shall complete, sign and present to the principal each year before participation in any interscholastic athletic practice or competition a certificate of consent and release. The Board of Directors shall adopt language that shall be incorporated into this certificate by member school. This certificate shall be filed in the principal's office."
Intent of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: To expand the consent form to include a release from liability, and to require the student to sign the consent and release form as well.
Rationale for proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: The existing consent form does not contain language which holds harmless the school or the Association in the event of injury or death, or privacy in the event the student's image is used by the school or Association in promotional materials. The Board of Directors has adopted a new form which contains language to this effect and that, as a minimum, must be included in any consent and release form used by a member school.
Impact of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: Both the student and his/her parent or guardian will be required to sign a "hold harmless" clause for the benefit of the school and the Association.
FHSAA staff analysis: The existing FHSAA consent statement is a part of the old physical form which has been abandoned by the Board of Directors in favor of a new physical evaulation form. Therefore, it was necessary for the Board of Directors to adopt a completely new consent and release form. This expanded form includes important language relative to the rights of the student and his/her parents or guardians to pursue legal action against the school or Association with regard to injury, death and privacy.
Fiscal impact on FHSAA: None.
Fiscal impact on member schools: None.

Proposal 21
Cite: 11.8.1
Sponsor: Commissioner Robert W. Hughes.
Summary sentence: A proposal to move the earliest possible date for physical evaluations from June 1 to May 15, to require the physical evaluation to contain a medical history questionnaire, and to eliminate any reference to any waiver of this requirement.
Proposal as submitted: Delete all verbiage of existing Bylaw 11.8.1 and replace with the following: "The student shall undergo a physical evaluation by a licensed physician not earlier than May 15 of the preceding school year and shall be certified by the physician as being physically fit for participation in interscholastic athletic practice or competition before being allowed an opportunity for such participation. This physical evaluation shall include a medical history questionnaire that must be completed and signed by the student and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s). The Board of Directors shall adopt minimum requirements for the physical evaluation that shall be adhered to by each member school. The physical evaluation form signed by the physician, as well as the medical history questionnaire signed by the student and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) shall be filed in the principal's office."
Intent of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: To reflect in bylaws the recommendations of the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee that a more extensive physical evaluation be required, including the completion of a medical history questionnaire by the student and his/her parents or guardians. To further eliminate any reference to a waiver of these provisions for the benefit of members of the Christian Science Church.
Rationale for proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: The Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, which is comprised of a number of doctors who are specialists in their field, as well as athletic trainers and member school representatives, spent a year researching the subject of physical evaluations. The committee determined that in many cases the physicals being given to student-athletes were insufficient. The committee recommended to the Board of Directors that a standardized form be adopted for the purpose of administering this evaluation. This form was expanded to include a medical history questionnaire that must be completed by the student and his/her parents or guardians and presented to the physician who is conducting the physical. This bylaw reflects the recommendations of the committee as well.
Impact of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: Would give backing in the bylaws to the new physical evaluation form and would ensure that all students are required to undergo the physical evaulation.
FHSAA staff analysis: Member schools that wish to continue using their own physical evaluation form may do so provided it encompasses everything contained on the FHSAA form. The elimination of a waiver for the benefit of a member of the Christian Science Church is due to the fact that no member of that church has a religious right to avoid the physical examination. The beliefs of that church prohibit its members from seeking medical treatment, not from undergoing a physical examination. Airline pilots who are members of this church must undergo the same physical evaluation as any other pilot. Students should be no different.
Fiscal impact on FHSAA: None.
Fiscal impact on member schools: None.

Proposal 22
Cite: 11.14
Sponsor: Commissioner Robert W. Hughes.
Summary sentence: A proposal to remove from the bylaws and place in policy regulations relative to official entry lists.
Proposal as submitted: Delete and remove to policy all verbiage of Section 11.14. Renumber existing Section 11.15 as 11.14.
Intent of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: To remove from the bylaws regulations relative to official entry lists, and to write those regulations as policy.
Rationale for proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: Official entry lists are part of the terms and conditions of the state championship series. As such, by Florida Statute and Bylaw 4.1.4(f), all regulations relative to such entry lists are under the direct control of the Board of Directors and should be written as policy. The regulations governing official entry lists are not, in and of themselves, eligibility rules.
Impact of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: The Board of Directors would have direct control over official entry lists as a term and condition of the state championship series.
FHSAA staff analysis: Both Florida Statute and FHSAA Bylaws are clear on the authority of the Board of Directors to conduct, and establish the terms and conditions for, the FHSAA state championship series. Official entry lists a requirement of each school that desires to entire a team or individual(s) into a state championship series. Ergo, they are a term and condition of the state championship series, and should be in Board policy, not bylaws.
Fiscal impact on FHSAA: None.
Fiscal impact on member schools: None.

Proposal 23
Cite: 11.14.4
Sponsor: Jay Rader, athletic director, Palm Beach Gardens High School.
Summary sentence: A proposal to guarantee that eligible students who are omitted from an official entry list due to error are not denied the opportunity to participate in state championship series competition.
Proposal as submitted: Create new Bylaw 11.14.4 to read as follows: "A student who is otherwise eligible in every respect shall not be denied eligibility to participate due to administrative or clerical error (i.e. name not submitted on a list or by a certain time). Schools are subject to financial assessments to correct any errors or omissions."
Intent of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: Intent that students not be denied eligibility due to clerical or administrative error.
Rationale for proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: People are human; they make mistakes. Principals declare students eligible in accordance with the rules. Administrative or clerical errors should not take away that basic eligibility. Financial penalties are more appropriate to punish the school, not the athlete.
Impact of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: Eligible students will not be denied participation due to circumstances beyond their control. FHSAA Bylaws should be proactive to enable eligibility to participate, not punitive to restrict the opportunity to play.
FHSAA staff analysis: This proposal will be rendered moot should Proposal 22 be adopted by the Assembly. It, however, does point out one reason why regulations dealing with official entry lists should be in policy, because policies are more easily corrected than bylaws.
Fiscal impact on FHSAA: None.
Fiscal impact on member schools: None.

Proposal 24
Cite: 12.1.1
Sponsor: Commissioner Robert W. Hughes.
Summary sentence: A proposal to remove the one-year limit on the period of warning in which a school on probation is placed.
Proposal as submitted: Rewrite sub-paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of paragraph (4) of existing Bylaw 12.1.1 as follows:
"(4) PROBATION – Types of probation that may be imposed on a school are as follows:
(a) Administrative Probation – The school is reprimanded, fined and served notice that it is in a period of warning for one or more calendar years year and additional violations during this period may result in an extension of the probationary period or, in the school being placed on restrictive or suspension probation, or in the school being expelled expulsion from membership in this Association.
(b) Restrictive Probation – The school is reprimanded, fined and restricted in some manner for one or more calendar years year, including restriction from participation in state championship series competition in one or more sports. The school is further served notice that it is in a period of warning for one or more calendar years year and additional violations during this period may result in an extension of the probationary period or, in the school being placed on suspension probation, or in the school being expelled expulsion from membership in this Association.
(c) Suspension Probation – The school is fined, reprimanded, fined and suspended from participating in interscholastic athletic competition in a particular sport or sports, or all sports, for one or more calendar years year. The school is further served notice that it is in a period of warning for one or more calendar years year and additional violations during this period may result in an extension of the probationary period or, in the school being expelled expulsion from membership in this Association.”
Intent of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: To give the Commissioner and the Association the discretion to place offending schools on more than one year of probation if their offense warrants it.
Rationale for proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: Currently, a school may be placed on probation for no more than one year. There, however, are violations that may warrant a school being placed on two of three years probation.
Impact of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: Offending schools may be placed on probation for more than one year.
FHSAA staff analysis: From time to time, schools commit rules violations that warrant that they be placed on probation for more than one year. A school found guility of recruiting violations may deserve to be placed on restrictive probation and banned from the playoffs for more than just one year. Currently, however, the Commissioner does not have the discretion to assess multi-year probationary periods. It is the belief of staff that he/she should have this latitude under the bylaws.
Fiscal impact on FHSAA: None.
Fiscal impact on member schools: None.

Proposal 25
Cite: 14.2.2
Sponsor: Commissioner Robert W. Hughes.
Summary sentence: A proposal to clarify that the Representative Assembly may vote on proposals to amend the bylaws by signed ballot.
Proposal as submitted: Rewrite existing Bylaw 14.2.2 as follows: "A two-thirds majority of the votes cast by delegates members present is required for passage of any proposal. A vote on the final passage of any proposal shall be by roll call or signed ballot with the vote cast be each delegate reported to the member schools."
Intent of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: To permit the delegates present at the Representative Assembly to cast their ballots for or against proposals either by roll call or by signed ballot.
Rationale for proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: Signed ballots expedite the voting process.
Impact of proposed amendment as stated by sponsor: Each Representative Assembly will have the option of conducting its voting by either roll call or signed ballot.
FHSAA staff analysis: Last year, the Representative Assembly took the liberty to conduct its voting by signed ballot rather than by roll call. This greatly lessened the amount of time necessary to vote on proposals. Signed ballots accomplish the same purpose as a roll call by providing a written record of how each delegate votes on each proposal.
Fiscal impact on FHSAA: None.
Fiscal impact on member schools: None.