Board of Directors Meeting Synopsis, Feb. 3, 2022

Board of Directors Meeting Synopsis  

Minneapolis Marriott West, Golden Valley, MN 

Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022   

 Welcome  

• Board member Sandra Setter Larsen provided the reflection and in continuing its celebration of the passage of Title IX, the Board recognized the leadership and contributions of our female Board members and staff.  

• A moment of silence was observed for Jamari Rice, a Minnesota high school student recently killed in a school-related shooting. 

• Board President Tom Jerome called the meeting to order at 9:46 a.m. 

• The meeting agenda and consent agenda were approved. 

• The Board of Directors Meeting Minutes from Dec. 2, 2021 were approved. 

• The meeting went into a closed session at 9:48 a.m. 

• The meeting returned to an open session at 10:25 a.m. 

 Lobbyist Report  

• League Lobbyist Roger Aronson shared updates, including information on the budget surplus, from the State Legislature that convened on Jan. 31, 2022.  

• Shared information on proposed action in State Statute conforming to the League’s current size of the Board of Directors. 

Legal Counsel Report  

• Legal Counsel Kevin Beck reported one settled case and no other pending litigation.  

• Introduced Legal Counsel Kristina Borgen, now with Kelly and Lemmons, who will be assisting in League representation. 

Executive Director’s Report  

Erich Martens reported:  

• The Minnesota State High School League Foundation took action to approve the schools who had completed Form A applications and sent checks totaling $450,000 to more than 270 member schools. These funds are earmarked to go to schools for the purpose of reducing barriers that limit a student’s ability to participate. 

• The League hosted a booth on Thursday, Jan. 13 during the MSBA Conference. League Executive Staff presented at two sessions. 

• The League also presented during the MASSP Conference on Jan. 26. 

• A recent Principals Advisory Committee meeting featured discussion regarding activities, academics, staffing, as well as the challenges and successes in member schools.  

• Board Member May Thao-Schuck was selected to serve as the co-chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee along with Tony Fisher, the athletics director of the Minneapolis Public School District.  

• Yielded the floor to League Staff who shared news that former Board Member and League Hall of Fame inductee Bill Webb was selected the NFHS Citation Award winner for Music. Webb will be honored on June 30 during the NFHS Summer Meeting. Webb is also a finalist in the Fine Arts category for the national high school hall of fame.  

• Reviewed the recent Debate State Tournament that was held in a virtual format and previewed the One Act Play State Festival planned for Feb. 10 and 11 at O’Shaughnessy Auditorium on the campus of St. Catherine University.  

• League Staff is reviewing enrollment information requested from the Minnesota Department of Education. In the “off year” of classification, the League will monitor adjustments and potential enrollment trends.  

• The Governor Appointee position is open for application and processes are in place for selection of new Board Members in Regions 7A-8A, Regions 3AA-4AA and MASSP (Class A Principal). 

• The Excel Award recipients will be featured on Saturday March 19 at the Girls Basketball State Tournament and Triple “A” Banquet is scheduled for March 26 at the Loews Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. 

• League Staff will present sessions during the MnIAAA Conference in late March in St. Cloud. 

• The LEAD Network returns Thursday, Feb. 10 at 10:45 a.m. 

Executive Committee Report 

• The agenda and minutes from the Dec. 1, 2021, meeting were approved. 

• Approved an amendment to the employment posting of the Associate Director position to increase the hiring to two associate directors to fill both the position vacated by a previous retirement and a pending retirement of a current staff member. This amendment is designed to broaden the pool of candidates, increase the efficiency of hiring and allow League Staff to effectively align responsibilities and duties. 

• The committee took action to implement a one-time payment for all programming staff and administrative assistants. This stipend recognizes the excellent work and efforts of staff members who maintained all League programming at a time of additional challenges and reduced staffing levels. 

• The committee reviewed and approved a partnership between the League and USCAH in providing health, safety and wellness programming.  

• The committee received updates on the following: 

• Finance Advisory Committee Meeting 

• A conference placement process for Ortonville and Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley. 

• The committee previewed COVID Guidance, the recommendation of the Bylaw 110 and 111 Ad Hoc Committee and the first draft of language regarding Name, Image and Likeness. No action was taken on those topics.  

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

Action Items  

• 9A: Tournament Revenue Share Policy 

• The Board of Directors approved a recommendation to sunset the tournament reimbursement policy that previously provided financial support to member schools that had individuals and teams participate in League state tournament events. In June 2021, the Board of Directors approved the recommendation of a Sustainable Financial Model that includes any profit or losses during the current school year into the calculation of future membership dues. The approval of the sunsetting of the tournament reimbursement policy discontinues any available funds for a reimbursement of tournament expenses.  

• 9B: Constitutional Amendment 

• A proposed amendment to the Minnesota State High School League’s Constitution seeking to expand the number or representatives on the Board of Directors was not approved to advance to a member school vote.   

• 9C: Ad Hoc 110 Recommendation 

• The Board of Directors approved in a roll call vote a recommendation of the Bylaw 110 and 111 Ad Hoc Committee to advance to the Representative Assembly for consideration in May. The recommendation includes new Bylaw language for Bylaw 110. The committee developed a recommendation that more closely aligns with the national standard of four years beginning in 9th grade. The recommendation adds clarity to the bylaw and maintains the opportunity for students to participate in grades 7 and 8. 

 Discussion Items 

• 10A: COVID Guidance 

• League Staff shared updated COVID-19 guidance. With winter state tournament events planned in traditional venues and typical formats, League Staff addressed current individual safety requirements as well as Covid Interrupted Competition Guidance. 

• 10B: Name, Image, Likeness Policy 

• League Staff and League Legal Counsel presented information on the recent changes to the legality of profiting from an individual’s Name, Image and Likeness while considered an amateur. Potential draft language that incorporates the League’s Bylaws was discussed. Additional discussion will take place at the April Board Meeting with potential passage of a Board Policy in June. 

Committee Reports  

Eligibility Committee  

• The Eligibility Committee meeting minutes were approved as presented.  

Audit/Finance Committee  

• The Board of Directors approved the November and December financial statements. 

• The Board of Directors approved the committee’s recommendation to allow Region 4A to maintain of fund balance of more than 20 percent from the 2021-22 school year to ensure the continuation of business operations. 

Marketing and Communications Committee  

• League Staff shared a technology update including the development of integrated brackets that will have dates, locations and links to news articles and other information.  

• Member schools participated in a formal survey soliciting feedback on the website. The League continues to welcome feedback. 

• The League will host a Winter Media Forum on Feb. 9. The forum is designed to assist the media in their coverage plans of the section and state tournament events.  

• League Staff provided an update on the planned streaming of postseason events. 

• League Staff, in partnership with School Space Media, are in the production stages of creating Hall of Fame videos. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony is planned for Sunday, April 24 at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest.  

• League Staff shared messaging of Title IX recognition that will be present at state tournament events. 

• The next edition of Connect, the League’s monthly online news magazine, will be published on Monday, Feb. 7. The Salute to Title IX series continues with a feature on Nordic Skiing’s Jessie Diggins of Stillwater Area High School and St. Paul Academy’s Annie Hart.  

• Delta Dental Minnesota has signed an agreement to be the League’s Oral Health Care partner. Delta Dental Minnesota will also be a co-sponsor of the girls and boys basketball all-tournament teams.  

• Dunwoody College of Technology will continue to sponsor the League’s Robotics State Tournament. 

• Minnesota’s selection for the NFHS Heart of the Arts Award is Nicholas Fryer of Chatfield High School.  

• Minnesota’s selection for the NFHS Spirit of Sport Award is St. Michael-Albertville girls soccer coach Megan Johnson. 

• Moorhead High School gathered the most food donations in the Sack Hunger campaign. 

Education and Leadership Committee 

• League Staff is providing opportunities for activities directors to complete the board policy required Minnesota Head Coaches Course-AD Version.  

• League Staff organized a training session for new activities directors on Feb. 2. Breakout sessions were included, and another session is planned for April. The target audience is activities directors in their first three years of service.  

• An InSideOut coaching session was held on Jan. 16 for Minnesota activities directors. 

• The Officials Service Award winners will be recognized during the boys basketball state tournament.  

•  An Officials Recruitment Forum is planned in a virtual format on Feb. 21. 

Informational 

• Board Workshop: Tuesday, March 1, 2022, 2 p.m. 

• Next Board Meeting: Thursday, April 7, 2022. 

• The Class of 2022 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, April 24. 

• The meeting was adjourned at 12:52 p.m.