November 20, 2000<
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Legislative Commission Monday voted to place three of nine proposals submitted to it on the annual referendum ballot this year.
The 2000 ballot will be sent to each member school in a mailing from the IHSA Office Oct. 29. Schools must return their ballot no later than Dec. 18. Ballots will be counted Dec. 19.
Proposals placed on the ballot Monday by the Legislative Commission would:
Amend Article 1.370 of the Constitution to direct the IHSA Board of Directors to meet at least ten (10) times per year.
Amend Section 3.071 (Student By-laws) by revising and relocating it as a new Section 2.140 (School By-laws) to modify the physical examination requirement. Currently, the by-law requires a student to have a physical exam each year, and it allows a senior to have his/her exam cover a 15-month period. The proposal to be voted upon takes the responsibility from the student and gives it to the student's school. It says a school shall have on file for each student who participates (including practice) a certificate of fitness issued by a licensed physician as set forth in the School Code not more than 365 days preceding any date of participation in any such practice, contest or activity.
Amend Section 6.021 of the By-laws by creating options for penalty to a school when it uses an ineligible student in any interscholastic contest. Currently, the penalty for use of an ineligible student was forfeiture of the contest(s) in which the ineligible student participated. The proposal provides that one or more of the following actions may apply to the use of an ineligible student: suspension of the student from further competition, or placement of the school on probation for one (1) calendar year, or forfeiture of the contest. The proposal also provides that the IHSA Executive Director or Board of Directors may set aside any penalties if it is determined the facts, findings or other information demonstrates the ineligible student provided the school false information upon which the student was certified eligible.