IHSA Announcement

December 10, 2007

Board Receives Favorable Audit Review; Sets Meeting Dates for 2008-09 

The Illinois High School Association’s Board of Directors received its annual audit report from the accounting firm of Clifton, Gunderson at its regularly-scheduled meeting today.  The audit found that the association’s changes in net assets and cash flows for the financial years ending on June 30, 2006, and June 30, 2007, were in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

“We appreciate the work of Clifton, Gunderson in preparing our annual audit,” said IHSA Executive Director Dr. Marty Hickman.  “We’re pleased that the results show that the association is in a strong financial position.”

The Board also established its meeting dates for the 2008-09 school term.  As required by the IHSA Constitution, the Board will meet 10 times during the next school term.  The meetings will be held in Bloomington, except as noted, on the following dates:

Other Action

  1. The Board approved a recommendation from the Executive Director to change the Terms and Conditions in boys’ football regarding tournament structure and time schedules.  The change will now require that all playoff games exact starting times of the games played on Saturday shall be determined by mutual agreement of the participating schools.  If a mutually agreeable starting time cannot be reached, the game time will be set by the IHSA.
  2. The Board approved a recommendation to revise the definition of “culminate in competition” currently found in the IHSA Handbook.  The revision extends the time in which non-school programs must compete from two weeks to 30 days in order for students in those non-school programs to maintain their high school eligibility.
  3. The Board approved a recommendation from the Executive Director to seek bid proposals for the Dual Team Wrestling State Final for the next three years (2008-09, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011. 

Discussion Items

At each meeting of the Board of Directors, there are certain agenda items that the Board discusses, but upon which it takes no action.  Following is a report of those items on this month’s agenda:

  1. The Board heard a report from the Executive Director on the attendance and key items of discussion from this year’s A.D. Division Meetings and the IHSA Town Meetings/Principals’ Rules Meetings.  The Board also reviewed the related survey that will be available to the membership during December on the IHSA Schools Center.
  2. The Board heard a report from the Executive Director on the actions taken by the Legislative Commission regarding this year’s by-law proposals.  The membership has until December 27, 2008, to vote on the four proposals advanced out of the Legislative Commission this year.
  3. The Board discussed a by-law proposal submitted by William Freyman, principal of Champaign (Central), related to summer contact days for football.  The proposal was not received by the established deadline and was not reviewed by the membership this year.
  4. The Board discussed By-law 2.140, which prohibits interscholastic participation by schools on strike.  The Executive Director will work on a possible by-law amendment proposal for membership review during the 2008-09 school term.
  5. The Board discussed the "Player of the Year" promotion conducted by FoxHiLites.com and the IHSA during the recent football championships.
  6. The Board discussed some of the concerns expressed by coaches and administrators regarding the one day format used in girls’ volleyball regional and sectional tournaments this year.  The Board reviewed correspondence on the matter from the North Suburban Conference.
  7. The Board heard a report from the Executive Director that the IHSA will host administrative workshops for high school principals this year.  The first workshops will be held later this week and focus on residence and transfer eligibility.
  8. The Board heard a report from the Executive Director regarding the recently held 8 States Meeting in Chicago on December 3rd and 4th.
  9. The Board heard a report from the Executive Director regarding a sportsmanship poster contest that the IHSA will be conducting.  Additional information will be made available to member schools through the IHSA website prior to the Christmas holiday.
  10. The Board heard a report from the Executive Director regarding the “Let’s Connect” conference hosted by the IHSA on December 2-4.  Staff members from a variety of states met in Bloomington to discuss technology, media, sportsmanship, and other topics.
  11. The Board welcomed Mark Harms as the new board liaison for the IASB and John Meixner as the new board liaison for the Regional Superintendents.

Eligibility Rulings

  1. The Board modified the Executive Director’s ruling of two students at Chicago Heights (Marian) High School.  One is a junior transfer student and one is a freshmen transfer student from Palos Hills (Stagg) High School who transferred to Marian High School on January 29, 2007.  They were ruled ineligible in regard to their transfer until January 29, 2008, for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.043.  The Board determined that both students will be eligible after the first semester is completed.