Board of Directors Meeting Synopsis, Oct. 7, 2021

Board of Directors Meeting Synopsis 

Minneapolis Marriott Northwest, Brooklyn Park, MN  

Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021  

Welcome 

·        Board member Dawn Engebretson provided the reflection.

·        Board President Tom Jerome called the meeting to order at 9:38 a.m. 

·        The Board of Directors approved the Agenda and Consent Agenda. 

·        The Board of Directors approved the meeting minutes of Aug. 3, 2021.

·        The Board of Directors entered a closed session at 9:40 a.m.

·        The Board of Directors re-entered an open session at 10:12 a.m.

Lobbyist Report 

·        League Lobbyist Roger Aronson shared updates from the State Legislature, including changes in leadership positions.

·        He encouraged Board Members to review Minnesota Statutes on hazing.

Legal Counsel Report 

·        Legal Counsel Kevin Beck reported there are two pending cases.  

Executive Director’s Report 

·        Executive Director Erich Martens: 

o Thanked the Board of Directors for their service.

o Thanked League Staff for its work and dedication on behalf of the member schools.

o Reported on nine Area Meetings held during September and the feedback from member schools.

o Encouraged participation by the Board of Directors in attending Area Meetings and joining in on the League-hosted LEAD meetings.

o Presented at the Minnesota State High School Coaches Association Delegate Assembly

o Called on Board Member Lisa Quednow, a NFHS Board of Directors member, for a report on Section VII and Section VIII meetings.

o Attended Student Leadership Day at the West Central Conference and was a presenter on characteristics of leadership.

o Recognized the Twin Cities Dunkers and the Minnesota Twins for their recent Annual Fund event, a fundraiser for activities programs in the Minneapolis and St. Paul school districts.

o Shared an update on the League’s Salute to Title IX series in the MSHSL Connect.

o Shared that pioneer Dorothy McIntyre is featured in the NFHS weekly Salute to Title IX.

o Encouraged member schools to recognize Title IX pioneers and barrier breakers in their communities and individuals that made a difference in the advancement of opportunities for girls.

o Thanked the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee for their work in providing guidance and professional input on League programs and initiatives.

Executive Committee Report

Aug. 11

·        The Executive Committee established the Temporary Pandemic Provision to allow transfer students who returned to their school of original enrollment to be immediately eligible for varsity participation.

·        Approved the requirement of a pre-participation sports physical exam and annual health questionnaire.

Oct. 6

·        Approved a waiver request by the Breckenridge-Wahpeton (ND) girls hockey team to schedule an additional game.

·        Approved of the League’s Music Advisory Committee serving as the interim Music Approval Committee for the 2021-2022 school year.

·        Received updates on the PlayFly Sports Marketing Group, School Space Media and health care groups who provide athletic trainers who serve during state tournament events.

Action Items 

1.     9A: 2021-2022 Strategic Directions

a.   The Board of Directors Approved a motion to accept the six areas that define the 2020-2021 Strategic Directions. They are:

1.     The MSHSL and League Staff will effectively manage the return to full participation through the COVID-19 Pandemic.

2.     The MSHSL will further define, strengthen and promote the vision, values and purpose of education-based activities and athletics.

3.     Together, the MSHSL Board of Directors and League Staff will further develop and deploy effective policy governance models and practices.

4.     The MSHSL will implement the approved sustainable financial model, developed to meet the needs of our students and schools and create a foundation for the growth desired by schools and communities.

5.     The MSHSL will further develop the technology and communications systems and structures that address the needs of our students, schools and communities.

6.     The MSHSL will work collaboratively with stakeholders to develop strategies and action that promotes and supports diversity and inclusion in all aspects of the MSHSL.

2.     9B: COVID-19 Guidance

a.   The Board of Directors approved COVID-19 Guidance and COVID Interrupted Guidance for the 2021-2022 school year.

1.     Summary of the requirements of COVID-19 Guidance:

a.     Masks must be worn on any public transportation, including school transportation.

b.     People who test positive for COVID-19 cannot participate in interscholastic in-person competition until all three of these things are true:

i.     They have had no fever for at least 24 hours, without using medicine that lowers fever, and,

ii.     It has been at least 10 days since they first experienced symptoms or tested positive, and,

iii.     The symptoms of cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms are better.

iv.     (Day 1 is the earlier of the first day of symptoms or the day of the test. Student is eligible for competition on Day 11 if all three conditions have not been met.

2.     COVID-19 Interrupted Guidance

a.     The Board of Directors approved information related to health situations when teams or individuals are precluded from practice and competition because of COVID-19 safety concerns for students or coaches, and as a result, competitions and contests are impacted.

Discussion Items

·        10A: Membership Dues Payment 2020-2021

Work continues with a handful of member schools that are completing the payment of 2020-2021 membership dues. No students have been denied the opportunity to participate in activities at those member schools because of unpaid dues.

·        10B: Basketball Shot Clock

The Board of Directors received updates from League Staff about the option of adopting a shot clock for Boys and Girls Basketball. The National Federation of High Schools’ rules committee has approved shot clocks for use in states that choose to do so. League Staff has communicated with member schools on the shot clock option via Area Meetings this fall. League Staff shared information with the Board of Directors on next data-gathering steps with member schools. This option is expected to be an Action Item at the December meeting of the Board of Directors.  Board of Directors provided valuable feedback to League Staff on items for inclusion in a survey to member schools.

·        10C: Representative Assembly

·        The deadline to submit proposed amendments for consideration by the Representative Assembly is Oct. 15. An amendment proposal to sanction Unified Basketball as an activity has been submitted and proponents of boys volleyball have indicated that an amendment to sanction Boys Volleyball will be submitted as well.

·        10D: Fall Tournament Formats

League Staff provided updates on planning and implementation of each fall state tournament.

·        10E: Winter Tournament Planning

League Staff provided a brief preview of the winter tournament season, with specific updates on Nordic Skiing, Girls Wrestling and a venue change in Boys Basketball that is necessary because of a scheduling conflict with the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center.

Committee Reports 

Eligibility Committee 

·        The Eligibility Committee minutes were approved as submitted.

Audit/Finance Committee 

·        The Board of Directors approved the July and August financial statements.

Marketing and Communications Committee 

·        League Staff shared updates on tournament planning with souvenir programs, the MSHSL Connect monthly online newsletter and state tournament independent contractors.

·        League Staff shared fee structure guidance created to assist Region Committees in their management of live video streaming rights. The committee shared its support of the guidance.

·        League Staff shared feedback from Area Meetings and the high interest levels of school administrators to learn more about website and technology.

·        League Staff shared a report on Projected Sponsorship Revenue for the 2021-2022 school year.

·        League Staff shared information on the Most Valuable Teammate Award and the Sack Hunger campaign.

Education and Leadership Committee

·        Officials registration has increased since the 2020-2021 school year.

·        The League will partner with MYAS in an officiating recruiting forum on Nov. 3.

·        The League’s Officiating Diversity and Inclusion Council has established a mission, values and action strategies. The committee is seeking additional members for sub-committees.

·        The League’s Distinguished Service Awards presentation will be Nov. 27 during the Prep Bowl.

·        The League is in the initial stages of partnering with the U.S. Council for Athletes’ Health to provide content for health and safety within the coaches education courses and is seeking other resources that will be helpful to our schools.

·        The League’s Education Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet Oct. 19.

 Informational

·        Board Workshop: Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, 2 p.m.

·        The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 a.m.