Board of Directors Meeting Synopsis: February 6, 2025

Venue: Minnesota State High School League Office, Brooklyn Center 

Board Member Mike Hennen of Forest Lake shared the reflection.  

Board President Don Peschel called the meeting to order at 9:42 a.m.    

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

The Board of Directors Meeting Minutes from Dec. 5, 2024, were approved.  

Within public comments on agenda issues, Robb DeCorsey, a tennis coach at Shakopee and Glencoe-Silver Lake, spoke in support of the Fall Activity Advisory Proposal that would permit coaches an opportunity for on-court, in-match coaching. Les Zellman of St. James, representing the tennis coaches association, also spoke in support of the proposal. 

Board Members shared comments and thanked League Staff for their hard work and guidance.   

League Lobbyist Roger Aronson shared updates from the State Legislature, including legislation to be introduced and timelines for their work.  

The League’s sales tax-exemption status that funds the MSHSL Foundation expires in June of 2027. Extending the exemption is an important initiative during this forthcoming Legislative Session and work has been done to seek authors.   

League Counsel Kevin Beck reported no pending litigation. 

Introduced Andrew Peden, who has accepted a contract offer to be the League’s Director of Finance. 

Yielded the floor to League Staff to share the recipients of many recognition awards: 

Minnesota Spirit of Sport --- Paul Pranghofer. 

Minnesota Heart of the Arts --- St. Michael-Albertville Choir/Theater Students. 

NFHS Outstanding Speech and Debate Educator for Minnesota --- Jody Saxton West, Northfield. 

NFHS Outstanding Music Educator for Minnesota --- Andrea Brinkman-Waterbury, Mankato East. 

NFHS Section 5 recipient of Outstanding Music Educator --- Andrea Brinkman-Waterbury, Mankato East. 

MSHSL Outstanding Media Service Award --- Rick Grammond, YouAreThereSports.com . 

NFL Officiating Crew of the Year --- Pat Bergquist, Gilbert; Kevin Britt, Apple Valley; Pete Cheeley, St. Cloud; Dennis Harris, Edina; MJ Wagenson, Pine Island. 

Yielded the floor to Lisa Quednow, co-chair of the National Women and Girls Sports Day Committee, to share information from the National Women and Girls in Sports Day event held on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul. 

The League hosted a booth and held informational sessions at the MSBA Conference on Thursday, Jan. 16 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Primary topics were discussion on 9^th Grade Governance, Enrollment and Eligibility. 

Members of League Staff and Board of Directors Members Zach Prax and Keith Cornell attended the annual MLK Jr. Breakfast at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Monday, Jan. 20. The theme of the event was One People: 35 Years of Community, Connection and Celebration.   

The MASSP Conference was held Wednesday, Jan. 29.  

The MSHSL Foundation mailed checks to Member Schools the week of Jan. 27. Approved amounts were $755,000 (Form A) and $385,000 (Form B). 

Opportunities for Member School to obtain an additional AED are available. More information will be shared on Thursday, Feb. 13 during the LEAD Meeting and in the weekly Update. 

League Staff shared information on the continued growth of Girls Wrestling and the ongoing work in that evolution. A survey has been sent to all Member School activities administrators in schools that offer wrestling. Those responses will help in determining next steps in supporting the expansion of Girls Wrestling. 

The ExCEL Awards recognition is Saturday, March 15 during the Girls Basketball State Tournament. 

The Triple A Banquet is scheduled for Saturday, March 22 at The Lofton Hotel in Minneapolis. The public recognition of the recipients is during the Boys Basketball State Tournament.  

The MnIAAA Conference is the week of March 24 in St. Cloud.  

Approved the contract with Andrew Peden, who will serve as the League’s new Director of Finance. This position is open due to the upcoming retirement of Rich Matter. 

Approved an adjustment to the schedule of Championship Saturday during the Girls Basketball State Tournament on March 15, 2025. The Class A and Class AAA finals will be played in Session 1. Class AA and Class AAAA will play their title games in Session 2.   

Approved the schedule for the 2025 Girls Softball State Tournament. The first three days of the event will be held June 3-5 at Caswell Park in North Mankato. The four-game Championship Day Series is Friday, June 6 at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus. 

Approved a schedule for the inaugural League-sponsored Boys Volleyball State Tournament. The single-class three-day event is scheduled to be held June 10-12 at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. 

Approved the state tournament ticket prices, inclusive of facility fees, for the MSHSL Winter Season.  

Approved an annual sponsorship contribution of $3,500 in support of the NASO Sports Officiating Summit. The sponsorship includes three complimentary registrations. The League will sponsor the Summit in 2027. 

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

The Board of Directors approved the work done by the 9^th Grade Governance Task Force and League Staff to update the 100 and 500 Series of Bylaws to reflect amendments to policies as it relates to the implementation of 9^th Grade Governance in the Fall of 2025. This approval sends the proposed bylaw amendments to the Region Committees for review and feedback prior to them being considered by the Representative Assembly on May 13. 

Boys and Girls Tennis --- The Board of Directors approved a Fall Activity Proposal that would permit increased access for coaches to coach their players in match and on court. 

The Board of Directors approved a League-recommended policy that clarifies the current rule that the MN Head Coach Requirements apply to all Member Schools in all athletics. While this has been a state statute and a League requirement for many years, the approved policy provides direct and clear language that is far less likely to be misunderstood. 

The Board of Directors approved the formation of an Enrollment and Eligibility Ad Hoc Committee to further study and recommend potential language to connect enrollment and eligibility, specifically, for students who are enrolled in public school administered online schooling as well as other newer models of education. 

Bylaw Series 200, 300 and 400 --- The 9^th Grade Governance Task Force and League Staff continue to update Bylaw Series 200, 300 and 400. The Board of Directors received information on a Glossary of Terms that is intended to be included for the 2025-2026 school year. These bylaws will be discussed in depth at the March Workshop and move to an Action Item on April 3, 2025.   

Bylaw 411.10G and H: Alumni Participation --- League Staff shared updates on responses and comments on the proposed adjustments to Bylaw 411.10G and H, the provisions that address Alumni Participation. Bylaws exist for students who participants in these events.   

League Staff shared an outline of the Classification and Competitive Section Placement process when updated enrollments are provided to the League by the Minnesota Department of Education. Responsibilities of the Board of Directors within the process were also discussed, including the study of enrollment classification maps and the approval process for classification appeals. 

League Staff led the discussion following the report submitted by consultant, Colin Sokolowski, upon completion of his work in gathering data through a survey, hosting focus groups and developing a draft of a strategic communications plan. Next steps include identifying strengths and opportunities and the study of communications plan models.  

The Board of Directors approved the Eligibility Report as presented.   

The Board of Directors approved the Financial Statements from November 2024 and December 2024. 

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

An analysis of League communications systems has been submitted by a public relations professional. Results of the analysis were highlighted, and next steps are planned in the development of a Strategic Communications Plan. 

League Staff reviewed information on the Student Media Program and Spectator Photographer Policies.    

League Staff shared that Rick Grammond, an online broadcaster covering primarily Pierz High School, is the recipient of the League’s Outstanding Media Service Award for the 2024-2025 school year.  

The League is in Year 3 of its partnership with PlayFly, the sponsorship and marketing firm working in the area of sponsorships. 

The League has finalized a partnership with Warroad as a sponsor of the Girls and Boys Hockey State Tournaments.    

The committee approved a motion to add a reviewable aspect to the Hockey State Tournament Replay policy. The Board of Directors subsequently affirmed that recommendation and approval. 

League Staff shared an update on the NFHS Learn online education platform through the National Federation of State High School Associations. There are more than 90 courses, including many that are free of charge.  

League Staff shared that new member applications are open for the Student Advisory Leadership Team. The Together 4.0 Leadership Conferences will be held in four regional sites during the 2025-2026 school year. Sites and dates are to be determined. 

The League and MYAS Officiating Recruitment Forum is scheduled online on Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. 

Board of Directors Workshop (virtual): Wednesday, March 5, 2025, 2 p.m. 

Next in-person meeting: Thursday, April 3, 2025. 

The Board of Directors Meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m.