A description of the meeting, who was there, action items and the next meeting date.

Note: all minutes are marked “Draft” until official approved by the next committee meeting.

ACTIVITY STANDARDS COMMITTEE
August 8/9, 2007
Inn at Willow Pond
Manchester, VT

Members Present: Bill Lawson, Patrick Burke, Bob Davis, Pam Arnold, D.G. Weaver, Cynthia Hinrichsen, Kathi Bierwirth, Mike Redington, Chris Hodsden, Bob Johnson

Minutes:

- motion by Pat B., second by Kathi B., to accept minutes of 5/2/07. Vote – 9 - yes, 0 - no, 2 - abstentions (not at previous meeting)

- Bill L. announced Frank Pecora will be the new ASC member. Frank will replace Chris Sousa who has accepted a new position in New Hampshire. Four people applied for the opening. A representative from a DIII or DIV school was needed. Frank will rejoin the committee in November.

- correspondence

- discussion on Brettwood Academy case. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Tennessee Association. This ruling has implications on recruitment of 8th graders by private school. Copy of the article is to be sent to all AD’s.

- discussion on current Sunday play policy. As written, this policy would allow Sunday play for any tournament game that is postponed by bad weather. Previous interpretation allowed for only championship game to be played. Michael Marks (VPA attorney) agrees with the new interpretation. This will be implemented this year.

- VPA Appeals Committee upheld decision of ASC concerning the eligibility of a Rice HS student for a 5th year of eligibility.

- discussion with St. J. Academy (Jack Cummings and Tom Conte) concerning a request to allow students from Quebec who have received a three year diploma a final year of eligibility if they transfer to a Vermont school. Discussion.  These students are not eligible to enter the Quebec universities with this  Diploma. They must complete a 1 or two year pre college program before they can enter the universities. This is unique to Quebec. Motion by Chris H., second by D.G., to allow students from Quebec who have completed the three year program (grades 9 through 11) one additional year of eligibility if they enter a Vermont school. Vote – 1 – yes, 4 – no,  3 – abstentions. Motion defeated.

Motion by Pat B., second by Cynthia H., to complete a VPA study of this issue. Issues to be investigated include, a) how do Vermont colleges and universities treat these graduates (are they admitted?), b) get a copy of the curriculum of the 2 year post secondary program in order to see what the vocational and college prep courses are, 3) check with other Vermont high schools (public and private) to see how they feel abut this issue. Study is to be completed by January 2008 meeting, however if information is gathered before then, ASC will act on it. Vote – 7 – yes, 0 – no, 2 – abstentions. Bob J. will inform St. J. Academy of this.

- discussion on VPA Football Committee recommendation to provide a $750 payment to any high school hosting a state championship. This would be in addition to covering host expenses and allowing host to collect t-shirt fees and concessions. Discussion. It appears this payment is being proposed to provide some incentive to schools willing to hosts. Some sports (soccer and football) do run risks of damaging their field(s) further if they are to host. VPA has been willing to pay some damages if requested. Schools can charge a facility usage fee for their facilities. No action taken.

- appeals hearing Bellows Falls (Jen Cohen present). Hearing conducted in Executive Session.

Motion by Pat. B., second by Cynthia H. to grant Kyle Cohen an additional year of eligibility with conditions. Vote – 7 – yes, 0 – no. Motion approved. Bob J. will meet with Bellows Falls and explain conditions.

- appeals hearing Brattleboro UHS (Chris Sawyer, Brattleboro AD and Noah Gillard present). Hearing conducted in Executive Session.

Motion by Cynthia H., second by Chris H., to grant Noah Gillard an additional year of eligibility. Vote – 8 – yes, 0 – no, Motion approved.

- discussion on Transfer Without a Change of Residency Policy. VSADA would like the policy to state the first day of the sports season and not the first allowable game date. Discussion. No action taken. Policy will state first allowable game date.

- discussion on Girl’s hockey proposal by VSAHA. Girl’s can currently participate in the first show case event in November if they do not join their school’s hockey team until the event is over. Concern also expressed that if the girl’s were allowed to participate in the twp show case events, the boys would request the same thing. No action taken. Proposal is denied.

- appeals hearing Lamoille UHS. Hearing conducted in Executive Session. Decision tabled pending further information from Lamoille UHS. This will be done through a telephone conference call. Bob J. will arrange this.

- appeals hearing Woodstock UHS (Wendy Wannop – Woodstock AD, Greg Schillinger – Woodstock Principal, Jim McLaughlin – Woodstock Coach, Matt Dobson, Laura Dobson present). Hearing conducted in Executive Session.

Motion by Mike R., second by D.G., to grant Matt Dobson an additional year of eligibility. Vote – 7 – yes, 0 – no. Motion approved.

- presentation from Pat Pullinen (Black River AD and soccer coach) on request from the VT Soccer Coaches Association for mouth guards to be recommend and not required. Discussion on information presented. One concern is that the VT Dental Association had promised to have its members provide form fitted mouth guards at a reasonable price. This is happening in some places but not all. Bob J. will send a letter to VDA about this. No action taken. Request denied (mouth guards will continue to be required).

- Bob J. gave updates on the following.

Spring financial report, calendar for 2007-2008, proposed broadcast fees for 2007-2008 and meeting dates. No action needed.

- Adjourned. Next meeting November 2nd at VPA Office.