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24. IHSA Public Information Policies
The Board of Directors maintains the following policies to insure that the public and the principals of member schools have access to information concerning the activities and workings of the Association:
1. Dissemination of Committee Recommendations Prior to Board Action: The Board of Directors has instructed the administrative staff to provide a summary of recommendations made by the various IHSA Advisory Committees to the principals of all member schools for review prior to their being considered or acted upon by the Board. These recommendations will be posted on the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org) three times each year (generally in October, January and April). Principals are encouraged to communicate their opinions in writing concerning the various committee recommendations to the Board member elected from their Division or to the IHSA Office.
2. Press Release Following the Board of Directors Meetings: The Board of Directors has instructed the administrative staff to make available a press release concerning the proceedings of Board of Directors meetings on the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org) for access by the news media and member schools. Following each Board meeting, decisions by the Board of Directors which are to be communicated to the public will be announced simultaneously to the member schools, any other parties involved and the news media on the IHSA web site. As a general rule, Board decisions are released the same day as the Board meeting.
25. Code of Conduct
It is recommended by the IHSA Board of Directors that, in the context of IHSA By-law 2.040, every member school establish and maintain a local Code of Conduct, dealing with the problem of the use of tobacco products, alcohol and other illegal, mood-altering and/or performance enhancing drugs or chemicals by students who participate in school athletic and activity programs.
The IHSA also endorses the statement regarding steroid use, contained in all National Federation of State High School Association sports playing rules publications. This statement points out, in part, that “while steroid use is not rivaling the use of alcohol and other drugs in schools, it is a concern. The use of steroids in sports is cheating. We stand opposed to the use of steroids by athletes and all members of the student body because of health and ethical concerns.”
26. Application for Approval of Cooperative Team
Schools forming cooperative teams must file applications with the IHSA Office for approval. Please note:
1. One application form must be completed and filed with the IHSA Office for each cooperative team your school wishes to establish. Application forms are available from the IHSA Office.
2. Each application form must contain the signatures of the principals or official representatives and Board of Education presidents of each of the schools involved in the cooperative.
3. Each application must include written approval of the conference(s) in which each cooperating school participated in the previous school year (in the sport for which the coop is being formed), or seven (7) opponents the coop team will play, if it will not play in a conference.
4. Each application must be accompanied by copies of the documents specified on the application form.
5. The application deadlines for cooperative team approval each school year are:
Fall sports—August 1 Winter sports—October 1 Spring sports—February 1
27. Statement Regarding Non-Discrimination
The Illinois High School Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provider of services. The Illinois High School Association does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, color, marital status, national origin, disability or veteran’s status in any decision pertaining to employment, including hiring, firing, wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment, participation in any program or service offered or sponsored by the Illinois High School Association, the conduct of competition, selection of officials, host schools, or in any other fashion or manner. The Illinois High School Association complies with all laws and regulations of the United States and the State of Illinois pertaining to the foregoing and expects similar compliance by its member schools and all participants.
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