Board of Directors Meeting Synopsis: April 3, 2025

• Venue: Minnesota State High School League Office, Brooklyn Center  

• Board Member Tavia Bachmann shared the reflection.   

• Board President Don Peschel called the meeting to order at 9:39 a.m.     

• The Board of Directors approved the amended meeting agenda and consent agenda.    

• The Board of Directors Meeting Minutes from Feb. 6, 2025, were approved.   

• Board Members shared comments highlighting the incredible experiences that our student-athletes had within their state tournaments. Special recognition of the energy and positive environment of the Adapted Hockey tournament was shared.  

• Thanks were offered to League Staff and other tournament staff for their state tournament management, commitment to Member Schools, and continued guidance and leadership.    

League Lobbyist Roger Aronson shared updates from the State Legislature, including proposed legislation on increasing the League’s catastrophic insurance, cardiac response teams at events and a proposed extension of the League’s sales tax exemption through the MSHSL Foundation. That sales tax exemption is currently scheduled to sunset in June 2027.   

League Counsel Kevin Beck reported no pending litigation.  

• Shared that Board Member Dave Rocheleau, the Activities Director at Pierz High School, recently received the MnIAAA Award of Merit.  

• Shared that League Staff Tim Leighton was selected for induction into the Minnesota Girls Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.  

• Shared that League Staff John Millea was selected the 2025 Man of the Year by the Minnesota Football Coaches Association.  

• Yielded the floor to League Staff for recaps of winter state tournament and recognition programs. 

• Recognized the work of League Lobbyist Roger Aronson for his work on behalf of the League.  

• Thanked the members of the AD Advisory Committee for their many hours invested in the Classification and Competitive Section Placement process.  

• Shared that League Staff made presentations at the gatherings of the Minnesota State High School Coaches Association, Minnesota Association of School Administrators and the Minnesota Interscholastic Activities Administrators Association over the past two weeks. 

• The Minnesota State High School League Foundation Board recently approved the purchase of 24 additional AEDs for Member Schools. They will be distributed in the next week.  

• The League’s Representative Assembly is Tuesday, May 13 at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest in Brooklyn Park.     

• Approved the Spring State Tournament ticket pricing structure.  

• Denied a request by Bemidji High School to scrimmage with non-League teams in Boys Volleyball and approved Stella Maris for an additional game waiver for opponents in its first year of Boys Basketball.  

• Approved Chanhassen High School as the host site for the Adapted Softball State Tournament on May 16-17. 

• Approved the request of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee to be renamed as the Access, Engagement and Opportunity Committee with a modified description. 

• Reviewed a League-developed model for the timeline of membership applications and approvals that coincide with the requirements for activities, creation of cooperative agreements and placement in competitive sections.  

• The Board of Directors approved the Executive Committee report as presented.  

The Board of Directors approved State Tournament Dates for the 2025-2026 school year. In some cases, the State Tournament Dates might be impacted by the schedules of professional or collegiate teams. In those instances, the schedule reads “TBD.” 

The Board of Directors approved the Meeting Dates for the 2025-2026 school year, which includes board meetings, workshops, Area Meetings and the Representative Assembly. 

In continuing work as the League prepares for 9^th Grade Governance implementation for the 2025-2026 school year, the Board of Directors approved the advancement of the Official Handbook’s 200, 300 and 400 Bylaw Series to the Representative Assembly on May 13. Region Committees will have the opportunity to provide feedback prior to the Representative Assembly.  

The Board of Directors approved Competitive Section Placements for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. The approved placements follow a process when updated enrollments are provided to the League by the Minnesota Department of Education. Prior to approval, League Staff reviewed the responsibilities of the Board of Directors, including the study of enrollment classification maps and the approval process for classification appeals.    

Debate 

1. Congressional Debate Session Structure --- This proposal would utilize present recency that is randomly generated by computer software. This would ensure that students are actually selected randomly. Currently, the Presiding Officer selects individuals in the room to speak. 

2. Congressional Debate Tie Breakers: This proposal suggests removing the lowest rank for each student in calculating their cumulative score. Currently, students receive a rank of between 1 (best) and 9 (worst) from each judge.  

3. Evidence Rules: This proposal updates evidence rules to account for modern technology. The League rules would be updated to follow the guidelines as the National Speech and Debate Association. Current rules do not account for modern technology.  

Nordic Skiing 

1. Code of Conduct: This proposal introduces rules and guidelines to follow for competitors, coaches and spectators during races. The Code of Conduct focuses on safety, respect and fairness. The Code of Conduct aligns with the Federation of International Skiing and creates a positive and educational environment. 

2. Pursuit Qualifiers: The proposal recommends expanding the numbers of individual qualifiers to six skiers not on a qualifying team earning a berth at the state meet. This increase is designed to increase participation and create more opportunities to qualify for the state meet. Currently, the top four individual skiers, who are not part of a qualifying team, earn a berth at the state meet.  

3. Video Review: This proposal would permit Nordic Skiing race officials to use video recordings to assist in identifying and reviewing infractions during races. A video review policy, already implemented by FIS and U.S. Skiing, would help ensure consistent and fair decision-making. Currently, Bylaw 407.1c states that video recordings may not be used to overrule an official’s decision or change the outcome of a game, meet or contest.  

Wrestling 

1. Additional Half Day to the State Tournament: This proposal would add an extra half day with Day 1 of the state tournament beginning on Wednesday afternoon. If approved, this proposal would add flexibility to the state tournament schedule that could, among other things, provide room for 16 girls in each weight class of Girls Wrestling, create additional time for full wrestlebacks and potentially feature team championships, third place and consolation finals on Day 2. 

2. Additional Weight Classes for Sub-Junior Varsity level: The proposed change would create additional weight classes at 100 pounds, 94 pounds and 88 pounds. Wrestlers in the 88-pound class would only be permitted to wrestle other participants within a 10-pound weight difference. Current NFHS Rules do not address specific needs for lighter-weight wrestlers at the sub-junior varsity level.  

3. Classification: This proposed change would adjust the classification divisions to ensure the 64 largest-enrollment programs along with any opt-ups would fill Class AAA. The next 96 teams would be Class AA, minus those that opt up to Class AAA. Class A would remain the same to include all remaining teams. This adjustment proposal is designed to reduce the gap between the largest and smallest schools within each classification.  

Glossary Definitions and Q and A’s: League Staff shared the first draft of the proposed Glossary of the MSHSL Official Handbook currently being updated to reflect the implementation of 9^th Grade Governance in the 2025-2026 school year. The Board of Directors also viewed a draft of the Q and A’s that will be distributed to all member schools in preparation for the new school year. Finalizing all updated language in the MSHSL Official Handbook is an Action Item at the Board of Directors Meeting in June.     

League Staff shared a first draft of a Board Policy that would provide a clear understanding and direction for Member Schools when applying the Alumni Participation bylaw. The current bylaw does not permit alumni to participate with League students as alumni are not members of a League team. Member Schools are seeking clarity to maintain safe participation and ensure eligibility for their students.   

The Board of Directors approved the Eligibility Report as presented.    

• The Board of Directors approved the Financial Statements from January 2025 and February 2025.  

• The Board of Directors approved the Audit/Finance Committee report as presented.  

• League Staff shared updates on website enhancements, including access to courses through NFHS Learn, a Member School Directory and an improved search feature. 

• League Staff shared information on the photo service that is used during state tournament events. There was expanded coverage during the winter state tournament events to include additional rounds. In a seven-week span during the winter state tournament, there were 15.1 million views of the League’s photo galleries.  

• League Staff shared sponsorship updates, including thanks to TruStone Financial and Delta Dental for their growing support of all activities. New sponsors Warroad, Channel Seed and BioSteel were also recognized. Signature Concepts, the League’s apparel provider, has worked with the SALT student leadership group to explore clothing trends to meet constituent needs.