MSHSL Board of Directors Report

Board of Director’s Meeting

June 9, 2008

The final meeting of the Board of Directors for the 2007-2008 school year was a time to greet new members of the Board.  Mindy Sparby will be representing girls’ sports and will do an admirable job.  In all, there are 8 new members on the board as 6 members were finishing their four year term and 2 members had to depart early due to job or position changes. 

The first order of business was to elect officers for next year.  They are President Mark Kuisle from Rochester Century, Vice President Jeff Whisler from Mahtomedi, and Treasurer Steve Niklaus from Annandale.  These individuals will represent do an outstanding job in these leadership roles.

Winter Advisory Committee Recommendations were considered.  Alpine Skiing received approval for a modification of the state meet to eliminate on run and combine the team and individual events into one race.  This will allow a full field of boys and girls to participate in the state meet.  The Nordic Ski meet changed their roster size to seven skiers plus two alternates.  This is consistent with cross country running and received approval.  Wrestling and hockey submitted requests to increase squad size by adding alternates or additional roster spots.  Both of these requests were denied.  The Dance Advisory committee requested a limit to squad size as is standard practice for all other sports.  The BOD modified their request and approved a minimum size of 5 and a maximum size of 34.  Region input indicated and board members agreed that it was important that all classes have the same size and so modified the original request to do that.  The dance team request to change the section tournament format for qualifying for the state meet was denied.  Insufficient number of judges and increased travel expenses were two of the discussion points.  The request was denied.  The debate proposal to go from 6 sections to 4 sections and adjust the team qualifying standards accordingly was approved.

The board tabled a discussion on the proposed Gender Identity and Expression Policy.  The Sports Medicine Advisory Committee and legal counsel will provide more input on the issue.

The Awards Committee recommended the existing vendor, ESCO, with the elimination of state participation plaques for one year.  Section trophies will now indicate Section Champion and State Participant.  This was approved by the board.  The Awards Committee will

The next meeting for the Board of Directors will be August 12, 2008 at Ruttgers Bay Lake Conference Center.

The meeting concluded with recognition of outgoing board members.