Board of Directors Meeting Synopsis: December 5, 2024

Venue: Minnesota State High School League, Brooklyn Center 

Board Member Brad O’Donnell, activities director at St. Clair High School, shared the reflection.  

Board President Don Peschel called the meeting to order at 9:41 a.m.    

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

The Board of Directors Meeting Minutes from Oct. 3, 2024, were approved.  

Within public comment on agenda issues, Arthur Cobb of Minneapolis addressed the Board of Directors advocating for the Girls Softball Tournament to host its Championship Day series at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus.  

Board Members shared comments on the student leadership conferences, fall state tournaments and thanked League Staff for their hard work and guidance.   

League Lobbyist Roger Aronson shared updates from the State Legislature, including the announced November budget forecast. Another budget forecast will be released in February.  

The League’s sales tax-exemption status that funds the MSHSL Foundation expires in 2027. Extending the exemption is an important initiative during this forthcoming Legislative Session that begins on Jan. 14.   

League Counsel Kevin Beck reported no pending litigation. 

Thanked the Board of Directors and League Staff for their investment of time and energy throughout the school year and especially during a very successful fall state tournament season. 

Welcomed new Board Member Yusuf Abdullah, an assistant superintendent of the Minneapolis Public Schools. He will serve as a Governor Appointee. 

Welcomed new administrative assistant Savannah Shea, who began with the League on Monday, Dec. 2. 

Represented the League at the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs recognition program in late October. The League was recognized with a Founders Award for work in breaking barriers and creating access for students with disabilities. The League is the first state association to sanction Adapted Athletics.  

Yielded the floor to League Staff for a review of the recently concluded Together 3.0 student leadership conferences. 

League Staff shared updates on the progress of a working group focused on the continued growth of Girls Wrestling and potential next steps to support the activity. 

League Staff shared an update on discussions with the Minnesota Vikings relative to Girls Flag Football. The NFHS partners with the NFL on this activity. Options are expected to be discussed and continued with the League’s Member Schools.   

Yielded the floor to League Staff for reviews from fall state tournament events.  

The League’s Foundation Board approved $755,000 (Form A) to 297 Member Schools. The board approved $385,000 (Form B) to 134 Member Schools. The board also approved $20,000 in support of Together 3.0. These new amounts represent an increase of $100,000 going back to member schools.  

The 11-State Meeting of Executive Directors and the National AD’s Conference is Dec. 13-17 in Austin, Tex. 

The NFHS Winter Meetings are Jan. 3-6, 2025, in Bonita Springs, Fla. 

The Let’s Connect Conference is Jan. 9-10, 2025, in Rosemont, Ill. 

The MLK Breakfast is Jan. 20, 2025, at the Minneapolis Convention Center.  

The League will sponsor and host a booth at National Girls and Women’s Day in Sports on Feb. 5, 2025, at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul. League Associate Director Lisa Quednow is the co-chair of this event. 

The Committee approved the hiring of Savannah Shea as an Administrative Assistant. She began her role on Monday, Dec. 2.  

The Committee approved a recommendation to hire an additional staff member who will work in the areas of communication and media. The Board of Directors approved the committee’s action.  

Interviews are scheduled for the Finance Director position that is posted.  

Approved the annual Employee Recognition Luncheon, consistent with League policy, to be held on Friday, Dec. 20. 

Approved the League’s attendance of up to 10 board or staff members at the annual MLK Breakfast held at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Jan. 20, 2025.  

Approved a League Staff recommendation for the League to host the Midwest Officials Summit, scheduled for Sept. of 2025, inviting state association staff members from twelve other states to Minnesota. 

Approved a schedule adjustment of the Boys Basketball State Tournament in March 2025. Because of a scheduling conflict at Target Center, the semifinals and championship games in the four enrollment classes will be played at Williams Arena on the University of Minnesota campus.  

Approved the final schedule and dates of the Baseball State Tournament in June 2025. Championship Day at Target Field is scheduled for June 14.   

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

In amending the MSHSL Constitution, the Board of Directors ratified the voting results of its member schools on both proposed MSHSL Constitutional Amendments. The first amendment, including language that adds 9^th grade into the League, was supported by 97.5 percent of the 526 voting Member Schools. The second amendment to update outdated constitutional language received even greater support with 99 percent of Member Schools voting in favor. These Constitutional changes will be implemented for the 2025-2026 school year. 

Softball --- The Board of Directors approved a motion to play the four enrollment-class championship games on Friday, June 6 at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus. The other days of the state tournament will continue at Caswell Park in North Mankato, the League’s longtime host venue for Girls Softball. The League has worked with the softball coaches association on creating a Championship Day experience, and through surveys, the group’s membership is supportive. 

Boys Volleyball --- The Board of Directors approved a motion to play the League’s inaugural Boys Volleyball State Tournament at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. The dates of the tournament are June 10-12. Currently, 94 teams have registered to participate in the first season under League governance. 

Group A, Official Handbook: Definitions and Interpretations --- Scott McCready, the activities director at St. Charles High School and the chair of the 9^th Grade Governance Task Force, shared information on the 100 and 500 Series of the League Bylaws with the Board of Directors, and on the progress of the task force. Task Force recommendations will include a timeline of approvals, important definitions and a grouping of topics to be discussed in preparation for implementation for the 2025-2026 school year.  

Boys and Girls Tennis --- League Staff shared information on a Fall Activity Advisory Proposal that would permit greater access to coaches to engage in InMatch coaching.  

League Staff shared information on a proposed policy that addresses the MN Head Coach Requirements for all Member Schools. In this proposed policy, the League is seeking to clarify that the head coaching certification requirement for head coaches applies to all Member Schools regardless of type. While this has been a State Statute and a League expectation for years, this policy will provide direct language to support this requirement. 

League Staff shared updated information on connecting enrollment and eligibility, specifically for students who are enrolled in public school-administered online schooling. Member Schools are showing an increased interest in redefining the participation eligibility of these students to more strongly connect their enrollment and League eligibility. Discussions and considerations toward a resolution will continue.  

The Board of Directors approved the Eligibility Report as presented.   

The Board of Directors approved the Financial Statements from September 2024 and October 2024 and the full Audit and Finance Committee Report. 

An analysis of League communications systems is underway by a public relations professional. Results of the analysis are expected later this month. This will provide information that leads to the creation of a Communications Strategic Plan.  

League Staff are reviewing the Student Media application process and onsite expectations.  

Nominations for two League recognitions were announced. The League’s Outstanding Media Service Award will open the week of Dec. 9 and close on Jan. 3, 2025. Hall of Fame nominations for the Class of 2026 are being accepted until Feb. 1, 2025. 

Fall sponsorship activations went well, including the addition of new sponsors Culver’s and Channel Seed Products. The partnership with TruStone Financial Credit Union continues to grow.  

The committee supports a draft of the MN Head Coach Requirement Policy. This will be an Action Item at the February Board of Directors meeting.  

More than 1,100 students and 109 Member Schools participated in the Together 3.0 student leadership conferences. 

There are nearly 6,000 registered officials this school year. About one-third of them do multiple activities. 

Board of Directors Workshop (virtual): Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, 2 p.m. 

Next in-person meeting: Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. 

The Board of Directors Meeting adjourned at 12:50 p.m.