LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL FOR CHANGE IN NSAA RULES AND REGULATIONS
Title:

Coaches and Sponsors

Author:Tom Kerkman
School:Omaha Westside
NSAA District:2
 
Proposal for:Constitution & Bylaws
 
Classes Affected:All
Activities Affected:None
This proposal:WILL NOT increase costs to the school
WILL NOT increase costs to the NSAA
WILL NOT increase travel for participating schools
WILL NOT decrease a student's or coach's instruction time
Implementation date:2024-06-01
Sections affected in Constitution & Bylaws:Page
31
Article
2.12
Section
2.12.2
Summary:2.12 COACHES AND SPONSORS 2.12.1 School's Responsibility. The entire management of a school's activity program must be under the control of school authorities, and any team competing in interschool competition must be under the direction of a member of the school's faculty. Schools take full responsibility in the vetting of assistant coaches and sponsors and making sure they have the appropriate training and backgrounds to work with their students.
2.12.1.1 When a team or individuals from a school compete in interschool competition, the team or individuals must be accompanied by the head coach or assistant coach as defined by the rules, or a school administrator, or certificated faculty member.
2.12.2 Head Coach, Assistant Coach, or Sponsor. To serve as a head or assistant coach or sponsor of any activity sponsored by the Nebraska School Activities Association, the individual must possess a valid Nebraska Teaching Certificate or Nebraska Administrative and Supervisory Certificate and have a written contract of employment as a coach or sponsor with the school in which he/she is to perform these duties. (Substitute teaching certificates do not meet this requirement.)
APPROVED RULINGS AND INTERPRETATIONS FOR 2.12.2 A Nebraska Teaching Certificate shall be defined as any certificate or permit issued by the Nebraska Department of Education that allows an individual to teach. https://www.education.ne.gov/tcert/teaching-certificates/ 2.12.2.1 Individuals who possess a Provisional Trades Certificate and/or Special Services Certificate endorsed in coaching may be employed by a school district as a head or assistant coach in NSAA sponsored activities. ADD: School districts may choose to hire their own external coaches and employ those individuals who do not possess a Nebraska Teacher Certificate, or Nebraska Administrative and Supervisory Certificate.
2.12.2.2 The head coach/sponsor, assistant coach/sponsor or certificated faculty member has the following responsibilities: 1. Supervise the individuals or team representing the school in the competition. 2. Serve as the school's spokesperson in all administrative matters, controversial situations, obtaining medical assistance, talking with representatives of the media and any discussion with contest officials or judges. 3. In basketball, the only individual who is permitted to use the coach's box or approach the scorer's table for a correctable error situation. 4. Be seated on the team bench or within the team area during basketball, volleyball, baseball, football, soccer, and softball contests. 5. Accept awards presented to the school and/or coach
Rationale:Rational: School districts require their own background checks and district wide requirements (vector trainings) NSAA requirements---external coaches will not be required to possess a certificate. School districts require much more than a first aid course and a coaching fundamental on-line class in order to be certified.
Pros:External coaches do not have to do double trainings and other requirements by the state. Will not have to pay for another background check.
Cons:Coaches may coach without any certification.