The NSAA Board of Directors met September 17, 2015 at the Association Office in Lincoln, Nebraska with members present as follows:
District I - Mark Norvell, Fillmore Central
District II - Dr. Bob Reznicek, Boys Town
District II - Nolan Beyer, Millard Public Schools
District III - Jay Bellar, Battle Creek
District IV - Dan Keyser, Sutherland
District V - Alan Garey, Medicine Valley
District VI - Troy Unzicker, Alliance
Also in attendance were Rick Moses, Nebraska Dept. of Education liaison; Rex Schultze, NSAA Legal Counsel; Joel Brase, Activities Director, Lincoln Lutheran High School; Nathan Bassett, teacher, Lincoln Lutheran High School; Christina Nevitt, teacher, Lincoln North Star High School; Lincoln North Star High School students Keana Russell, Trevin Ball, Justine Oness, Courtney Faller; Football Coach Dale Frerichs, Potter-Dix High School; Potter-Dix High School students Aaron Crawford, Tyrus Gawith; guardian Donald Cole; and Darin Boysen, Nebraska Coaches Association.
The meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m.
1. Moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Consent Agenda included: Minutes of the August 19, 2015 Regular Board of Directors Meeting; approval of Financial Statements; approval of new cooperative sponsorship for Hastings, Adams Central and Hastings St. Cecilia High Schools for boys and girls swimming; and approval of cooperative sponsorship renewals for Sandhills and Thedford High Schools for football, volleyball, boys cross country, girls cross country, wrestling, boys basketball, girls basketball, boys track and field, girls track and field, and boys golf; and Nebraska City and Lourdes Central Catholic High Schools for wrestling. Motion Carried: 7-0
2. Moved to approve the 2015-16 Budget. Motion Carried: 7-0
3. The Board discussed and signed the Conflict of Interest Statement.
4. The Board discussed Unified Sports, Bowling.
5. The Board discussed the Executive Director search process.
6. The Board heard a report from Nebraska's representatives to the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) National Student Leadership Summit.
7. The Board discussed Title VII-CR Act and Title IX-EA Act and Equal Opportunities.
8. It was moved to enter into Executive Session at 10:18 a.m. to (1) receive advice of legal counsel and discuss possible litigation regarding Title VII-CR Act, Title IX-EA Act, and equal opportunities issues; and (2) consider and discuss strategy with respect to new executive director search process, including contract structure and compensation range, and for the protection of the public interest and for the prevention of the needless injury to the reputation of an individual. Motion Carried: 7-0
9. The Board recessed Executive Session at 11:00 a.m. for scheduled hearings and reconvened Executive Session at 11:20 a.m.
10. It was moved to come out of Executive Session at 11:28 a.m.
11. Moved to approve December 23-27 as the December Moratorium dates for the 2017-18 school year. Motion Carried: 7-0
12. The Board discussed meeting dates, staff coverage and potential proposals to be considered at district meetings.
13. Moved to extend the debate season until April 2, 2016 as a result of earlier placement of the NSAA State Speech Championships due to holiday scheduling. Motion Carried: 7-0
14. Moved to take the following action regarding the search process for the new Executive Director of the NSAA:
16. Assistant Director Jennifer Schwartz reported on volleyball official's clinics and middle level heat acclimatization.
17. Assistant Director Ron Higdon reported on the upcoming Sports Medicine Committee meeting.
18. Assistant Director Jon Dolliver reported on the upcoming changes for the State Cross Country Championships.
19. Assistant Director Sarah Sasse-Kildow reported on golf suggestions and marketing updates.
20. Technology Specialist Jeff Stauss reported on the NSAA Cup.
21. Nebraska Department of Education liaison Rick Moses reported on Rule 10 issues, enrollment deadlines and safety standards.
22. Executive Director Dr. Jim Tenopir reported on reprimands to date, the audit report, an investment policy statement, refinancing of the building loan, the Section 5 meeting, attending conference meetings, a scheduled meeting with the Nebraska Department of Education, the state track agreement with Omaha Public Schools, Dan Keyer's induction into the Nebraska High School Athletic Hall of Fame, an invitation to a barbeque at Darin Boysen's and forfeitures for playing an ineligible player.
23. Lincoln Lutheran High School appeared before the Board to request an exception to International Students Bylaw to permit exchange students from non-CSIET-listed programs participation in NSAA activities. Following a presentation of the evidence, those representing the school provided clarifying information and answers to Board members' questions.
24. Potter-Dix High School appeared before the Board to appeal a denied hardship waiver for student Tyrus Gawith. Following a presentation of evidence, those representing the student provided clarifying information and answers to Board members' questions.
25. Potter-Dix High School appeared before the Board to appeal a denied hardship waiver for student Aaron Crawford. Following a presentation of evidence, those representing the student provided clarifying information and answers to Board members' questions.
26. It was moved to enter into Executive Session at 1:22 p.m. to further discuss the hearings.
27. The Board exited Executive Session at 1:28 p.m.
28. In open session, the Board further addressed the exception by Lincoln Lutheran High School to permit non-CSIET international exchange students to participate in NSAA activities. It was moved to approve the Lincoln Lutheran hardship request for wavier of the CSIET certification for the exchange students in the Lincoln Lutheran/Drottningborg Videregaende Skole program for the 2015-16 school year only for the reason that (1) Lincoln Lutheran/Drottningborg VGS program has been in existence since 2003; (2) Lincoln Lutheran has applied for CSIET certification for the 2015-16 school year; (3) Lincoln Lutheran stated they will seek CSIET status for the 2016-17 school year; and (4) there is evidence that the students were not recruited to Lincoln Lutheran for athletic purposes. Motion Carried: 7-0
29. In open session, the Board further addressed the hardship ruling for Tyrus Gawith. The Board adopted findings of fact and determination to uphold the Executive Director's ruling. Motion Carried: 7-0
30. In open session the Board further addressed the hardship ruling for Aaron Crawford. The Board adopted findings of fact and determination to uphold the Executive Director's ruling. Motion Carried: 7-0
The next meeting of the NSAA Board of Directors will be held in Lincoln on Thursday, October 8, 2015.
District I - Mark Norvell, Fillmore Central
District II - Dr. Bob Reznicek, Boys Town
District II - Nolan Beyer, Millard Public Schools
District III - Jay Bellar, Battle Creek
District IV - Dan Keyser, Sutherland
District V - Alan Garey, Medicine Valley
District VI - Troy Unzicker, Alliance
Also in attendance were Rick Moses, Nebraska Dept. of Education liaison; Rex Schultze, NSAA Legal Counsel; Joel Brase, Activities Director, Lincoln Lutheran High School; Nathan Bassett, teacher, Lincoln Lutheran High School; Christina Nevitt, teacher, Lincoln North Star High School; Lincoln North Star High School students Keana Russell, Trevin Ball, Justine Oness, Courtney Faller; Football Coach Dale Frerichs, Potter-Dix High School; Potter-Dix High School students Aaron Crawford, Tyrus Gawith; guardian Donald Cole; and Darin Boysen, Nebraska Coaches Association.
The meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m.
1. Moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Consent Agenda included: Minutes of the August 19, 2015 Regular Board of Directors Meeting; approval of Financial Statements; approval of new cooperative sponsorship for Hastings, Adams Central and Hastings St. Cecilia High Schools for boys and girls swimming; and approval of cooperative sponsorship renewals for Sandhills and Thedford High Schools for football, volleyball, boys cross country, girls cross country, wrestling, boys basketball, girls basketball, boys track and field, girls track and field, and boys golf; and Nebraska City and Lourdes Central Catholic High Schools for wrestling. Motion Carried: 7-0
2. Moved to approve the 2015-16 Budget. Motion Carried: 7-0
3. The Board discussed and signed the Conflict of Interest Statement.
4. The Board discussed Unified Sports, Bowling.
5. The Board discussed the Executive Director search process.
6. The Board heard a report from Nebraska's representatives to the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) National Student Leadership Summit.
7. The Board discussed Title VII-CR Act and Title IX-EA Act and Equal Opportunities.
8. It was moved to enter into Executive Session at 10:18 a.m. to (1) receive advice of legal counsel and discuss possible litigation regarding Title VII-CR Act, Title IX-EA Act, and equal opportunities issues; and (2) consider and discuss strategy with respect to new executive director search process, including contract structure and compensation range, and for the protection of the public interest and for the prevention of the needless injury to the reputation of an individual. Motion Carried: 7-0
9. The Board recessed Executive Session at 11:00 a.m. for scheduled hearings and reconvened Executive Session at 11:20 a.m.
10. It was moved to come out of Executive Session at 11:28 a.m.
11. Moved to approve December 23-27 as the December Moratorium dates for the 2017-18 school year. Motion Carried: 7-0
12. The Board discussed meeting dates, staff coverage and potential proposals to be considered at district meetings.
13. Moved to extend the debate season until April 2, 2016 as a result of earlier placement of the NSAA State Speech Championships due to holiday scheduling. Motion Carried: 7-0
14. Moved to take the following action regarding the search process for the new Executive Director of the NSAA:
a. The Board finds and determines that due to current issues presented to the NSAA and the need for leadership to address such issues, and the need for a considered and deliberate process in the search for and hiring of the next NSAA Executive Director, that the Board of Dierctors should, and hereby does, adopt the following timeline, subject to adjustment as needed, for the new Executive Director search process:
September 1, 2016 - Advertising and posting of position
October 30, 2016 - Application deadline, all application materials should be submitted
November, 2016 - Screening of candidates (exact dates to be determined)
December, 2016 - Interviews of Finalist Candidates (exact dates to be determined)
January, 2017 - Approval at regular Board meeting of contract for New Executive Director (exact date to be determined)
July 1, 2017 - Anticipated start date for new Executive Director (negotiable)
b. The Board of Directors finds and determines that Dr. Jim Tenopir's contract as Interim Executive Director should be extended to July 31, 2017, and that the Board President is hereby authorized and directed to enter into negotiations for the terms and conditions of such extended contract for presentation to the Board of Directors at the next regular meeting on October 8, 2015.
15. NCA Executive Director Darin Boysen reported on the Sportsmanship Summit.September 1, 2016 - Advertising and posting of position
October 30, 2016 - Application deadline, all application materials should be submitted
November, 2016 - Screening of candidates (exact dates to be determined)
December, 2016 - Interviews of Finalist Candidates (exact dates to be determined)
January, 2017 - Approval at regular Board meeting of contract for New Executive Director (exact date to be determined)
July 1, 2017 - Anticipated start date for new Executive Director (negotiable)
b. The Board of Directors finds and determines that Dr. Jim Tenopir's contract as Interim Executive Director should be extended to July 31, 2017, and that the Board President is hereby authorized and directed to enter into negotiations for the terms and conditions of such extended contract for presentation to the Board of Directors at the next regular meeting on October 8, 2015.
16. Assistant Director Jennifer Schwartz reported on volleyball official's clinics and middle level heat acclimatization.
17. Assistant Director Ron Higdon reported on the upcoming Sports Medicine Committee meeting.
18. Assistant Director Jon Dolliver reported on the upcoming changes for the State Cross Country Championships.
19. Assistant Director Sarah Sasse-Kildow reported on golf suggestions and marketing updates.
20. Technology Specialist Jeff Stauss reported on the NSAA Cup.
21. Nebraska Department of Education liaison Rick Moses reported on Rule 10 issues, enrollment deadlines and safety standards.
22. Executive Director Dr. Jim Tenopir reported on reprimands to date, the audit report, an investment policy statement, refinancing of the building loan, the Section 5 meeting, attending conference meetings, a scheduled meeting with the Nebraska Department of Education, the state track agreement with Omaha Public Schools, Dan Keyer's induction into the Nebraska High School Athletic Hall of Fame, an invitation to a barbeque at Darin Boysen's and forfeitures for playing an ineligible player.
23. Lincoln Lutheran High School appeared before the Board to request an exception to International Students Bylaw to permit exchange students from non-CSIET-listed programs participation in NSAA activities. Following a presentation of the evidence, those representing the school provided clarifying information and answers to Board members' questions.
24. Potter-Dix High School appeared before the Board to appeal a denied hardship waiver for student Tyrus Gawith. Following a presentation of evidence, those representing the student provided clarifying information and answers to Board members' questions.
25. Potter-Dix High School appeared before the Board to appeal a denied hardship waiver for student Aaron Crawford. Following a presentation of evidence, those representing the student provided clarifying information and answers to Board members' questions.
26. It was moved to enter into Executive Session at 1:22 p.m. to further discuss the hearings.
27. The Board exited Executive Session at 1:28 p.m.
28. In open session, the Board further addressed the exception by Lincoln Lutheran High School to permit non-CSIET international exchange students to participate in NSAA activities. It was moved to approve the Lincoln Lutheran hardship request for wavier of the CSIET certification for the exchange students in the Lincoln Lutheran/Drottningborg Videregaende Skole program for the 2015-16 school year only for the reason that (1) Lincoln Lutheran/Drottningborg VGS program has been in existence since 2003; (2) Lincoln Lutheran has applied for CSIET certification for the 2015-16 school year; (3) Lincoln Lutheran stated they will seek CSIET status for the 2016-17 school year; and (4) there is evidence that the students were not recruited to Lincoln Lutheran for athletic purposes. Motion Carried: 7-0
29. In open session, the Board further addressed the hardship ruling for Tyrus Gawith. The Board adopted findings of fact and determination to uphold the Executive Director's ruling. Motion Carried: 7-0
30. In open session the Board further addressed the hardship ruling for Aaron Crawford. The Board adopted findings of fact and determination to uphold the Executive Director's ruling. Motion Carried: 7-0
The next meeting of the NSAA Board of Directors will be held in Lincoln on Thursday, October 8, 2015.
