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.

VPA ACTIVITY STANDARDS COMMITTEE
Friday, November 2, 2007
VPA Office

Members Present: Frank Pecora, Cynthia Hinrichsen, Bill Lawson, Bob Davis, Kathi Bierwirth, Dan Marlow, Pam Arnold, Pat Burke, D.G. Weaver, Bob Johnson

Also Present: Mike Keiser (North Country AD), Andrew Roy (North Country Boys Hockey Coach), Bruce Viens, John Pelkey, Ann Pelkey, Amanda Pelkey, Phil Scott, Jasmine Miller, Tammy Barrows, Justin Champine, Joe Harrington, Erin Galavin, Mari Goodrich-Miller, Avery Ekman, Nell Coogan, Shawn (friend of Pelkey’s), Ally (friend of Jasmine Miller)

Minutes:

- motion by Dan, second by D.G., to accept minutes of 8/8 & 8/9/07 and 8/21/07. Vote – approve unanimously

- discussion on recommendation from Basketball Committee. Move DIII semis to Thursday and DII and IV to Monday and Wednesday. Championship schedule to be DIV, DII, DIII. Motion by Dan, second by D.G., to accept proposal on a one year basis. Basketball Committee to evaluate and recommend to ASC after the season. Vote – approved unanimously.

- discussion on High School Accountability Act. This act is attached to the House version of the NCLB reauthorization bill. If passed, this would require a substantial amount of work for all AD’s and Principals. This is being driven by Title IX compliance. Bob J. has sent this information to all AD’s and will bring it up at the next VSADA meeting. Primary focus of the bill is to provide accountability in the area of sports and activities. We will continue to watch to see if this Act remains when reauthorization of NCLB is being finalized. No further action.

- meeting with North Country AD and Boy’s Hockey Coach. This is a requirement based on North Country violating the total ejection rule last year. New coach and new AD. Have already began meetings with parents and players to discuss expectations and focus on sportsmanship. There will be challenges to overcome but expectations are high. No action taken by ASC. North Country Boy’s Hockey team is allowed to begin season.

- meeting with committee chairs (baseball – Frank Pecora, soccer – Dan Marlow, basketball – Bruce Viens) to discuss realignment criteria to be used for next cycle. Three sports would like to consider a) 5% waiver in total numbers, b) number of sports offered by a school, c) strength of the program over a 3-5 year period of time, d) strength of local youth programs, e) number of teams needed for a viable tournament, f) impact of larger schools moving into a smaller division. Committees would make recommendations based on these factors. Schools would then be allowed to appeal to the individual committee. No further action. Next meeting ASC will meet with additional committee Chairs.

- appeal hearing. Parent request to allow daughter to participate on both a girl’s hockey team and a boy’s bantam hockey team during the same season (VPA rules currently do not allow participation on a non-school team in the same sport during the sport’s season). Hearing conducted in Executive Session.

Motion by Kathi B., second by Frank P., to allow Amanda Pelkey to participate on the Montpelier Girl’s Hockey team and a Barre Bantam Boy’s Hockey team during the Winter 2007-2008 season. Vote – Yes – 1, No – 5, Abstain – 1. Motion defeated. Bob J. will notify the parents.

- appeal hearing Burlington HS. Request for an additional year of eligibility based on a hardship situation. Hearing conducted in Executive Session.

Motion by Frank P., second by Cynthia H., to grant Jasmine Miller an Additional year of eligibility for the 2007-2008 school year. Vote – approved unanimously (6-0).

- appeal hearing West Rutland HS. Request for an age waiver and additional year of eligibility based on a hardship situation. Hearing conducted in Executive Session.

Motion by Cynthia H., second by Frank P., to grant Justin Champine a age waiver and additional season of eligibility (2007-2008 basketball season only). Vote – approved unanimously (7-0).

- appeal hearing Rice HS. Request for an additional year of eligibility based on a hardship situation. Hearing conducted in Executive Session.

Motion by Frank P., second by Cynthia H., to grant Avery Ekman an additional year of eligibility. Vote – Yes – 2, No – 4. Motion defeated. Bob J. will notify the school.

- adjourned