Board of Directors Meeting Synopsis, Dec. 2, 2021

Minnesota State High School League  

Board of Directors Meeting Synopsis  

Minneapolis Marriott West, St. Louis Park, MN   

Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021   

 Welcome

• The meeting was called to order at 9:31 a.m. by Board President Tom Jerome. 

• Board member Dr. Julie Anderson provided the reflection. 

• The meeting agenda and consent agenda were approved. 

• The Board of Directors Meeting Minutes from Oct. 7, 2021, were approved. 

• Tom Critchley of the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association, Pat Barrett of the Minnesota Girls Basketball Coaches Association and Minneapolis North boys basketball head coach Larry McKenzie addressed the board on the basketball shot clock Action Item.  

• Michelle Yener of the North St. Paul-Oakdale-Maplewood School Board, and Krista Flemming and Jenny Kilkelly of the Minnesota Boys High School Volleyball Association spoke in support of sanctioning boys volleyball. 

• The meeting went into a closed session at 10 a.m. 

• The meeting returned to an open session at 10:29 a.m. 

• Board President Tom Jerome yielded the floor to Board Members for comments and reflection. 

 Lobbyist Report  

• League Lobbyist Roger Aronson shared updates from the State Legislature.  

• He stressed the high level of support that Legislators have for contest officials and ways to advocate for more recruiting efforts.  

• The State Legislature convenes on Jan. 31, 2022. 

Legal Counsel Report  

• Legal Counsel Kevin Beck reported one case has been dismissed, another case was voluntarily dismissed, and another case is scheduled for mediation in January. 

Executive Director’s Report  

• Board President Tom Jerome shared the Executive Director’s Report on behalf of Erich Martens.  

• The Minnesota State High School League Foundation approved $450,000 in grants through Form A. The committee will review and determine disbursements. 

• The Principals Advisory Committee met on Nov. 16 via Zoom. The agenda included discussion on, but was not limited, to: MSHSL Foundation, 2021-2022 Strategic Directions, MSHSL Rules Making, Basketball Shot Clock proposal, Representative Assembly, Respect and Behavior Expectations, Additional Classes and Programs and Tournament Experiences and Impacts.  

• Board President Tom Jerome yielded the floor to League Staff for reviews of fall state tournament events. League staff recognized the outstanding work of host venues and the many tournament workers who support tournaments. 

• Recognized former MSHSL Associate Director Craig Perry for his selection and upcoming induction into the National Interscholastic Activities Administrators Association Hall of Fame on Dec. 14 at the National AD conference in Denver. 

• LEAD Network returns on Thursday, Dec. 9. 

• Recognized League and Tournament staffs for their work and professionalism. 

Executive Committee Report 

• Approved a Resolution for Recognition of BankVista for its support and partnership in successfully obtaining two rounds of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) grants during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

• Approved a certification of the Dormitory Status of Marshall School of Duluth. 

• Met with Eagle Ridge Academy Activities Director Kris Babler to receive information and clarity regarding a proposed constitutional amendment to expand the representation on the League’s Board of Directors. 

• Discussed enrollment options for students that attend Carlton High School should their school district choose to close the high school.  

• Received updates on the most recent discussion with US Council on Athletes Health, specifically around the services that would be provided by USCAH in this agreement. 

• Updates were provided for two ongoing committees. The DEI Committee has met twice and is requesting to rename the committee as the DEIB with the addition of “belonging” in the title and in the description. 

• The Bylaw 110 and 111 Ad Hoc Committee has met twice and is focusing on the review of Bylaw 110 initially with a potential recommendation coming in February. 

• The Executive Committee Report was approved. 

 Action Items  

• 9A: Basketball Shot Clock 

The Board of Directors approved a motion for the implementation of a Basketball Shot Clock in Boys and Girls Basketball at the varsity level beginning in the 2023-2024 school year.  

• 9B: Fine Arts Judges 

 The Board of Directors approved updating the policy requiring background checks to include that Fine Arts Judges are subject to the same background checks currently in place for officials of athletic activities. The League has implemented an annual registration system for Fine Arts Judges that aligns with MSHSL Officials registration.  

Discussion Items 

• 10A: Representative Assembly Amendments 

League Staff shared a review of the Representative Assembly process which is       used to add new activities. Currently, proposals to add Unified Basketball and Boys Volleyball are working through that process. The Administrative Regions are considering the proposals and then voting on each item. Nine of the 16 Administrative Regions voting in the affirmative are required to advance the proposed amendments to the Representative Assembly. The Representative Assembly is scheduled for May 10, 2022.  

• 10B: Winter Tournament Planning 

League Staff shared updates from their respective tournaments.  

• Target Center, a traditional host of the Boys Basketball State Tournament, has scheduling conflicts with the Minnesota Timberwolves in preparation for the NCAA Division I Final Four in women’s basketball. The only date to be used at Target Center will be Tuesday, March 22 for the quarterfinals. Discussions continue with the University of Minnesota to finalize Williams Arena as the venue for the remainder of the championship rounds. 
• The Sprint Relay Event in Nordic Skiing adopted in 2020 will add an extra day to the Nordic Skiing State Meet at Giants Ridge.  
• As approved by last year’s Representative Assembly, a Girls Wrestling Division will be held at the postseason level this season. Determination of weight classes for those divisions and the structure of the tournament is underway. 

• 10C: Tournament Revenue Share Policy 

The Board of Directors received an update on the Revenue Share Policy that has been in place since 1990. This provision provides some financial support for member schools that participate in a state tournament. With the approval of a new financial model for the League, any surpluses are now directed to all member schools to reduce membership fees for all schools. 

• 10D: AD Education 

League Staff shared information related to the policy that was enacted in 2019 that requires all Activities Directors to participate in a condensed version of the Head Coaching Certification classes. This requirement ensures that ADs have the “Why We Play” curriculum and will promote this with their coaches. League Staff recommends that this requirement be extended an additional year to allow for increased opportunities for ADs to participate in the abbreviated course and also participate in this course at the MnIAAA conference in March 2022.  

• 10E: Constitutional Amendment 

The Board of Directors received an update on a Constitutional  Amendment proposal from administrative representatives in Region 4A.  The proposal seeks to expand the Board of Directors by eight members to ensure representation from each of the 16 Administrative Regions. The proposal also requires that these 16 positions would be represented by current Activities Directors or individuals with previous AD experience. This proposal would expand the body of the Board of Directors from 22 members to 30.  

Committee Reports  

Eligibility Committee  

• The Eligibility Committee meeting minutes were approved.  

• No motion was made by the Board of Directors in the case of Student A that was heard during a closed session.  

Audit/Finance Committee  

• The Board of Directors approved the September and October financial statements. 

• The Board of Directors approved a motion to establish a common ticket price for online and in-person ticket sales for each state tournament. 

Marketing and Communications Committee  

• League Staff shared an update on work to prioritize technology projects with Gravity Works for upcoming work.  

• League Staff made presentations at the Minnesota Broadcasters Association Annual meeting on Oct. 6. 

• The League hosted a Fall Media Forum on Oct. 20. Forums are planned for the winter and spring state tournaments. 

• Website analytics were shared for views of the League’s online souvenir state tournament programs and MSHSL Connect, the League’s monthly online newsletter. The League thanks Wells Fargo for its sponsorship of this online souvenir state tournament program. 

• League Staff provided a sponsorship update.  

Education and Leadership Committee 

• League Staff shared updates on the need for the continuing education and professional development of Activities Directors.  

• League Staff will meet with a sub-group of the Education Faculty committee to update the workbook for the six-hour in-person class.  

• The committee approved updating language deadline for Activities Directors to take a condensed version of Head Coaches Course. All ADs will be required to complete a Minnesota Head Coaches Course prior to the fall of 2023. ADs hired after Sept. 1, 2020 will have three years to complete the requirement.  

• Classes designed for ADs will be offered via Zoom Feb. 15 and April 20. They will also be offered at the MnIAAA spring conference.  

• The Board of Directors approved the recommendation by the Education and Leadership Committee. 

• The next InSideOut Inititative Phase II date in Minnesota is Jan. 26, 2022. 

• There were 1,140 registered football officials in 2021 compared to 1,200 in 2019 and 900 in 2020.  

• More than 100 participants were part of the officiating recruitment forum held in conjunction with MYAS in November.  

Informational 

• Board Workshop: Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, 2 p.m. 

• Next Board Meeting: Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, 9:30 a.m. 

• The League Office will be closed from Dec. 23, 2021, through Jan. 2, 2022. 

• The meeting was adjourned at 12:26 p.m.