Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Minutes of Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors

April 12, 2024

The regular spring meeting of the Board of Directors was held in a hybrid format on April 12, 2024.

The meeting was called to order by President Ingold at 10:01 a.m. The following members were present in person: Haupt, McAlister, Yoder, Johnson, Chavers, Ingold, Marquardt, Davis, and Duncan. Present via Zoom: Hogue, Isenhower, and Drees. Also present were Nicole Schaefbauer, Chris Frasco, Jackie Litwiller, and Charlie Shempf from the IESA staff. Not present were Marski, Kerr, and Vanausdoll.

Motion by Davis/McAlister to approve the January 2024, regular meeting minutes as presented. CARRIED.

Dr. Hogue and Mrs. Schaefbauer presented the Treasurer's report. Motion by Hogue/Yoder to approve the Treasurer's report as of March 2024. CARRIED.

Division Reports

Division C - Dr. McAlister was contacted by Calumet City Schrum regarding the recommendation of the Sportsmanship Advisory Committee. Discussion was slated to take place during the Committee report.

Division E — Mr. Yoder was contacted by a school regarding the ability of scholastic bowl coaches to moderate their own matches. This concern will be added to the Scholastic Bowl Advisory Committee for discussion.

Division F — Mr. Johnson passed along compliments to IESA staff.

Division H — Mr. Ingold was contacted by a school regarding several items- public/non-public participation, a host rotation for all athletic activities, and the calendar changes. Mr. Ingold indicated that he had responded to the school. Additional discussion was held by the Board with no recommendations.

Division M — Mr. Davis passed along compliments to the 7th Grade Boys Basketball host, Normal Kingsley, on hosting an outstanding tournament.

Division O - Dr. Duncan was also contacted by a school regarding the ability of scholastic bowl coaches to moderate their own matches. A school also reached out to pass along their frustration regarding securing a track sectional host and requested more assistance from the IESA Office. It is difficult to secure a host at the 1A level as very few schools have access to a facility. Discussion was held on additional steps that can be taken to assist in the future. Additionally, a school reached out with concerns about the timeline developed by the Emerging Activities Committee. More discussion was slated to occur during the presentation of the Committee minutes.

Administrative Reports

Matt Hawkins, TPG- Provided an update to the Board on the status of pending proposals.

Charlie Shempf, Assistant Executive Director- Reviewed the IESA Wrestling State Finals. The tournament went very smoothly and was well attended. An update was presented to the Board on an incident that occurred at a Wrestling Sectional in which an athlete was disqualified from further participation. Mr. Shempf updated the Board on the timeline for Girls Wrestling implementation, as there was considerable discussion at the state tournament regarding the incorporation of this division. The Board was updated on the results of the Chess State Tournament and the continued conversation IESA is having with the state venue regarding skittles options. An update was provided on the bowling state series. Mr. Shempf indicated that the Recognition Committee will be meeting to evaluate the programs that were executed this year.

Jackie Litwiller, Assistant Executive Director- Provided a review of the cheer state championship. This year was the largest number of participating schools at the state competition. The partnership with Washington HS went very well and we look forward to their continued involvement. Discussion was held on the logistical problems we had with the venue this year. Updates were provided on music, the volleyball state finals, and Softball. Mrs. Litwiller is also working on setting up a meeting with Special Olympics.

Chris Frasco, Assistant Executive Director- Updated the Board on the Basketball State tournaments. All tournaments were well attended and the use of GoFan went well. Updates were also provided on Scholastic Bowl, ejection statistics, the Sportsmanship School of the Month program, Emerging Activities, and Officials Recognition.

Nicole Schaefbauer, Executive Director- An update was provided on the events that have been hosted at the Peoria Civic Center and the experience staff and patrons have encountered this year. The Board was provided with a status update on the strategic planning initiative that will be taking place in July. Motion by Yoder/Marquardt to budget $9,500 for strategic planning expenses. CARRIED. Information was provided on the 2023-24 membership and activity totals. Both are up from previous years. A review of pending legislation was given. A discussion was held on introducing GoFan at the Sectional level. The Board was open to its use at this level and the staff will be working on how to implement this platform within our financial structure. The bid for repairing and resurfacing the parking lot was shared and the Board supported moving forward with the project. Discussion was held on the definition of full-time personnel as referenced in by-law 2.054. Motion by McAlister/Johnson to adopt the definition of full-time staff member as “a staff member employed and compensated by a school district who works thirty-five (35) or more hours per week for the district during the school year.” CARRIED.

President Ingold recessed the meeting for lunch at noon and reconvened the meeting at 12:20 p.m.

Old Business

Celebration of Excellence- Winner information was presented, and congratulations were extended to those selected. The Board was reminded that the presentation to the winners will be at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bloomington. A review of the schedule and format was provided. Appreciation was extended to those Board members who would be able to attend. The Celebration will recognize the Scholar Attitude Award winners, the Performing Arts Coach Award winners, the Division Sportsmanship Award winners, and IESA Officials who have worked a post-season contest for 20 or more years.

Calendar Action Team- The Calendar Action Team recommended several changes to season length for various activities. The goal of the Action Team was to minimize the overlap of girls fall seasons while addressing parity concerns. The Board had tabled the recommendations presented in January and had asked the Action Team to revisit the suggested changes for baseball and girls volleyball. The administrative staff conducted a survey that was sent to volleyball schools to assist the Action Team in addressing the concerns of the Board. Motion by Yoder/Chavers to accept the calendar recommendations as presented with implementation in the 2025-26 school year. CARRIED.

Pitch Protect- A previous agreement to pilot the Pitch Protect app during the 2024 baseball season was dissolved by Pitch Protect. The company submitted a new pilot agreement for the 2025 baseball season. No action was taken by the Board.

New Business

NFHS Logo Requirement- Discussion was held on the upcoming increase associated with the NFHS Authenticating Mark. The royalty rate increase will take place in January 2025. Schools should expect an increase in the cost of all items bearing the NFHS logo- scorebooks, balls, etc.

State Final Sites- A review of the state final sites was presented. Current state finals hosts have been contracted through 25-26 or 26-27.

Track and Field Wheelchair Division- A discussion was held on introducing a wheelchair division as a part of the 2024 State Track and Field Meets. A girls and boys division would be offered in the 100 M and shot put. Motion by Johnson/Haupt to accept the recommendation to provide a wheelchair division as a part of the 2024 IESA State Track and Field Meets and the requirements for participation as presented. CARRIED.

Board Committee Reports

Staff Relations- Dr. McAlister presented discussion that was held by the Staff Relations Committee. The Committee will be working with the Finance Committee to create a long-term benefits plan for Association employees. President Ingold presented the results of the Executive Director performance evaluation.

Finance- No report

Advisory Committee Reports

Athletic Director— The Athletic Director Advisory Committee met on March 20, 2024 in a hybrid format. The recommendation to change the by-law wording for Signs and Noisemakers was tabled to the June meeting. Motion by McAlister/Marquardt to accept the recommendation to offer a single ticket price specific to each tournament level for post-season contests. Staff will present possible ticket prices at the June meeting. CARRIED. Motion by Johnson/Yoder to accept the recommendation to create an Athletes With Disabilities Advisory Committee. CARRIED. Full minutes may be found at the following link.

Basketball— The Basketball Advisory Committee met on March 22, 2024 at the IESA Office. Discussion items were reviewed. Full minutes may be found at the following link.

Cheerleading- The Cheer Advisory Committee met on March 6, 2024 in a hybrid format. Motion by McAlister/Haupt to approve recommendation #1 (rename Cheer division to Game Day Cheer with adjudication criteria). CARRIED. Motion by Yoder/Chavers to approve recommendation #2 (divide Routine division into three levels based on enrollment size). CARRIED. Motion by Marquardt/Allen to approve recommendation #3 (award 3 trophies and medals in all four divisions). CARRIED. Motion by Haupt/Davis to approve recommendation #4 (to announce only the top 3 teams at the awards ceremony). CARRIED. Motion by Marquardt/McAlister to approve recommendation #5 (email results to coaches within one hour of the completion of the tournament). CARRIED. Full minutes may be found at the following link.

Chess- The Chess Advisory Committee met on March 19, 2024 via Zoom. Motion by McAlister/Johnson to approve recommendation #1 (adjustment to the state tournament time schedule). CARRIED. Motion by Marquardt/Yoder to approve recommendation #2 (exclusion of spectators from the competition room during play). CARRIED. Full minutes may be found at the following link.

Wrestling— The Wrestling Advisory Committee met on April 3, 2024 via Zoom. Motion by Chavers/Marquardt to approve recommendation #1 (remove team limitations and enforce an individual limitation of 42 matches). CARRIED. Motion by Davis/Johnson to approve recommendation #2 (allow wrestlers to be added to the official roster at the seed meeting). CARRIED. Motion by Yoder/Haupt to approve recommendation #3 (to add an optional third mat to be used during the regional tournament). CARRIED. Recommendation #4 was tabled for further investigation by staff. Recommendation #5 was tabled for further discussion by the Committee. Motion by Ingold/Yoder to approve recommendation #6 (allow a roster spot for a manager and a statistician for regional and sectional competition). CARRIED. Full minutes may be found at the following link.

Volleyball- The Volleyball Advisory Committee met on April 4, 2024 via a hybrid meeting. Recommendation #1 to require line judges at the sectional level died for lack of support. Recommendation #2 to move the sectional start time to 6:00 p.m. died for lack of support. Motion by McAlister/Allen to approve recommendation #3 (allow non-team personnel to be present on the court during warm-ups). CARRIED. Recommendation #4 to require host schools to assign spectator seating directly across or behind their team bench died for lack of support. Full minutes may be found at the following link.

Emerging Activities- The Emerging Activities Advisory Committee met on April 10, 2024 in person. The Board of Directors modified the recommendations of the Committee to the formation of three advisory committees only. Motion by Ingold/Johnson to approve the recommendation to form the E-Sports Advisory Committee, the Boys Volleyball Advisory Committee, and the Soccer Advisory Committee beginning in the 24-25 school year. CARRIED. Specific Committees will then be charged with determining an appropriate implementation timeline. Full minutes may be found at the following link.

Sportsmanship- The Sportsmanship Advisory Committee met on March 13, 2024 via Zoom. Calumet City Schrum Principal John Billingsley and Coach Cornelius Deere joined the meeting via Zoom to provide statements and questions from the Board. Motion by Isenhower/Allen to approve the recommended penalty assessed to Calumet City Schrum and their 8th grade boys basketball coach. CARRIED.

The dates of the remaining meetings for 2023-24 were announced.

Motion by McAlister/Marquardt to approve the expenses of the meeting. CARRIED.

There being no further business, motion by Johnson/Chavers to adjourn the meeting. CARRIED. President Ingold adjourned the meeting at 2:18 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Nicole Schaefbauer