NEBRASKA SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION

REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY

Friday, April 11, 2008

NSAA Office, Media Room, Lincoln

 

Chairman Dr. Dallas Watkins called the 2008 Representative Assembly to order at 9:00 a.m.

 

Mr. George Woolstrum presided as parliamentarian.

 

Terry Kenealy reporting for the Credentials Committee, reported 48 delegates present.  With 48 delegates present it was necessary for an item of business to receive 29 votes to pass.

 

The following delegates were in attendance:

District 1 – Terry Kenealy, York; Jeff Vetter, Fairbury; Dr. Pat Hunter-Pirtle, Lincoln Southeast; Dr. Bob Michl, Freeman; Jerry Eickhoff, Hampton; R.J. Metteer, Lincoln Southeast; Jerry Rempe, Southern; John Gingery, Lincoln East; Kevin Simmerman, Fairbury.

District 2  - Dr. Bob Reznicek, Omaha Westside; Dr. Steve Shanahan, Blair; Bob Danenhauer, Omaha Public Schools; Tim McNamara, Platteview; Todd Mueller, Gretna; Holly McCoy, Omaha Mercy; Dan Bartels, Omaha North; Jeff Johnson, Papillion-LaVista South; Darwin Palmer, Falls City; Dan Novak, Elmwood-Murdock; Bill Fitzgerald, Fremont; Nolan Beyer, Millard South; Shaun Brothers, Plattsmouth; Terri Wilshusen, Humphrey St. Francis; Robin Groene, Howells; Tom Ramsbottom, Elkhorn; Fred Ivey, Scribner-Snyder.

District 3 – Jay Bellar, Battle Creek; Rocky Ruhl, Wayne; Dennis Dolliver, Norfolk; David Hamm, Plainview; Bob Hayes, Ponca; Gary Timm, Pierce.

District 4 – Max Kroger, Ord; Mark Armstrong, Kearney; Dave Barrett, Adams Central; Bill Mowinkel, Northwest; Kyle Hoehner, Lexington; Mel Shoemaker, Kearney; Jim Landwehr, Adams Central.

District 5 – Dr. Dallas Watkins, Dundy County; Vic Young, Wilcox-Hildreth; Ron Streit, Cambridge; Jeff Mollring, McCook.

District 6 – Kent Halley, Mitchell; Bruce Parish, Chadron; Robert Johnson, South Platte; Dick Scott, Sidney; Lee Dick, Scottsbluff.

 

The following guests were also in attendance:  Ryly Jane Hambleton, Lincoln Journal-Star; Chris Loofe, Omaha Public Schools; Dr. Peg Naylon, Omaha Public Schools; Steve Johnsen, Nebraska Coaches Association; and Jerry Dunn, York High School.

 

Dr. James Tenopir presented the Executive Director’s report.

 

The chairman announced that the items on the agenda would now be considered.

 

It was moved by Bruce Parish, seconded by Jeff Vetter, to consider all proposals as presented. Motion Passed, 48-0.

 

I.      Change in Constitution. 

A.  The proposal deals with:  Yearbook:  Article 1  Section: 1.2.1  Page: 1

Any public or non-public school operating any grade or grades above the sixth and rated Approved or Accredited by the Nebraska State Department of Education may become a member of this association.

The proposal passed 38-10 and will go to a vote of member NSAA schools for ratification.

 

B.  The proposal deals with:  Yearbook:  Article 1  Section: 1.5.1.2, 1.5.2.2, 1.5.2.3 and 1.6.1.6  Page: 1, 2, 3

1.5.1.2 Proposed changes in the Constitution and Bylaws must be introduced during the first district meeting, and shall be presented by a representative of a member school district located within that respective NSAA district. All legislative proposals are submitted to the NSAA electronically. After the NSAA staff verifies the proposals to confirm the Bylaw or rule reference, the proposals are posted on-line for all schools to view. After the November 1 deadline for submitting proposals, the NSAA will email the respective NSAA district proposals to each member school within that district. An administrator’s signature is not required for submission as access to the proposal form may only be obtained through the secured administrator’s login on the NSAA web site.
1.5.2.2 The Legislative Commission shall consider and screen the proposals for changes in the Constitution and Bylaws passed by the Districts to be submitted to the Representative Assembly.
1.5.2.3 Proposals for changes in the Constitution and Bylaws that receive five or more of the twelve votes of the members of the Legislative Commission or proposals for changes in the Constitution and Bylaws that have been passed by three or more districts shall be placed on the Representative Assembly agenda.
1.6.1.6 Authority.
a. Interpret the Constitution and all legislation enacted by the Representative Assembly.
b. Make all rules necessary for effective control and government of interschool activities consonant with the legislation enacted by the Representative Assembly and with this Constitution, subject to the following process and procedures:
(1) Such rules shall be set forth in the form of an Approved Ruling and Interpretation.
(2) An Approved Ruling and Interpretation may be adopted and made effective at such date and time as deemed appropriate by the Board of Control.
(3) An Approved Ruling and Interpretation is subject to review and comment by member schools at any time.
(4) A request for the amendment or elimination of an Approved Ruling and Interpretation may be introduced on or before November 1 each year for consideration at the first district meeting for such year, and shall be presented by a representative member school district located within that respective district. Such request shall be submitted to the NSAA electronically for review by the NSAA staff to allow for verification by the staff of the Approved Ruling and Interpretation being referenced. Upon verification of the Approved Ruling at issue, the Approved Ruling and Interpretation with the suggested amendments shown shall be posted on-line for all member schools to view. After November 1, the NSAA staff will e-mail all suggested amendments of Approved Rulings and Interpretations to each member school within the district. An administrator’s signature is not required for submission of a request for amendment or elimination of an Approved Ruling and Interpretation as access to the request form may only be obtained through the secured administrator’s log-in on the NSAA website.
(5) Requests for amendment or elimination of an Approved Ruling and Interpretation shall be placed on the agenda for the first district meeting and shall be discussed and acted upon by the members of that district under the same process provided for legislative proposals set forth at Articles 1.5.1.4, 1.5.1.5, and 1.5.1.6.
(6) Requests for amendment or elimination of an Approved Ruling and Interpretation that receive a majority vote in at least one district at the first district meeting shall be placed on the agenda for the second district meeting in all six districts and shall be discussed and acted upon by the members of the district under the same process provided for legislative proposals set forth at Articles 1.5.1.4, 1.5.1.5, and 1.5.1.6.
(7) Those requests for amendment or elimination of an Approved Ruling and Interpretation from the agenda of the second district meeting shall be presented to the Board of Control at its April regular meeting for review and action by the Board of Control.
(8) The Board of Control, in its sole discretion, may (a) accept such request for amendment or elimination of an Approved Ruling and Interpretation, in whole or in part, (b) amend the Approved Ruling and Interpretation in another manner, or (c) determine to make no change in the Approved Ruling and Interpretation.
c. Adopt and promulgate rules of procedure in order to ensure that due process is followed in the disposition of alleged violations of the Constitution, Bylaws, or Approved Rulings and Interpretations of the Association.
d. Adjudicate all controversies between member schools which have been appealed.
e. For violations of provisions of this Constitution, Bylaws, or Approved Rulings and Interpretations thereof, impose such penalties as are authorized by the Bylaws.
f. Serve as members of the Legislative Commission.
g. Waive the effect of any eligibility rule upon an individual student.
h. Grant hardship waivers to schools when the circumstances warrant such a waiver.

The proposal passed 48-0 and will go to a vote of member NSAA schools for ratification.

 

II.    Change in Bylaws for Athletic Bylaws.

A. The proposal deals with:  Yearbook:  Article 3  Section: 2.8.8  Page: 5

Summertime Use of School Facilities. Member schools may permit the use of their facilities in accordance with the local school board rental policy.

The proposal passed 48-0.

 

B. The proposal deals with: Yearbook:  Article 3  Section: 3.7.2  Page: 8

3.3.7.2 The Executive Director is granted the authority to require schools to alter travel plans to arrive the day prior to the scheduled state contest if weather conditions so warrant. If a school chooses not to travel to the contest site the day prior to the scheduled contest, the school shall understand that the games will go on as scheduled and if they are unable to arrive prior to the scheduled game time, a forfeit will be issued.

The proposal passed 48-0.

 

C.  The proposal deals with:  Yearbook:  Article 3  Section: 11.1.4.1  Page: 12

3.11.1.4.1 If the weather conditions require a change in state basketball tournament format, the schedule may be changed to permit a school to play multiple state tournament games per day.

The proposal passed 44-4.

 

D.  The proposal deals with:  Yearbook:  Article 3  Section: 11.1.4.2  Page: 12

3.11.1.4.2 If weather conditions become a factor during the regular season and if all schools are in agreement, the schools may petition the Executive Director to be allowed to play multiple basketball games in a single day.

The proposal failed 18-30.

 

E.  The proposal deals with:  Yearbook:  Article 3  Section: 3.9  Page: 8

3.3.9 No high school that is a member of the NSAA shall be permitted to engage in any interschool contest on Sunday. When weather conditions and facilities cause a change in a state tournament schedule, Sundays may be used for competition after 12:00 noon local time as determined by the Executive Director.

The proposal passed 46-2.

 

III.   Change in Speech Bylaws.

A. The proposal deals with:  Yearbook:  Article 6  Section: 6.4  Page: 2
Classes C1, C2, D1 and D2 six entries will advance to the final round of competition at district. The top three performers in each event from each district qualify for the State Speech Contest.

The proposal passed 48-0.


IV. Change in Music Bylaws.

A.  The proposal deals with:  Yearbook:  Article 7-Music  Section: 7.6.2.1  Page: 2

7.6.2.1 Date Due. The entries to the District Contest must be submitted online via the NSAA Website by midnight Central Time, March 20, prior to the contest. No late entries are permitted.                   The proposal passed 48-0.

B.  The proposal deals with:  Yearbook:  Article 7- Music  Section: 7.6.2.2  Page: 2
Activities Manual: Music  Page: 6
7.6.2.2 Entry Fees. The District Music Committee shall determine the entry fees for District Music Contests. All fees shall be submitted for the District Music Contest according to each district’s requirements immediately after the March 20 entry deadline. An additional charge may be made for schools from outside the district.

The proposal passed 48-0.

 

The Representative Assembly adjourned at 10:10 a.m.

 

Debra Velder, Associate Director