Meeting was convened at 2:15 p.m. by Chairman Majikes
ITEM 1 Chairman Majikes called the meeting to order at 2:15 p.m.
Absent, but accounted for: Jim Sabatini, Frank Victor, Jim Higgins, Tony Rusnak
ITEM 2 A motion was made by Ray Lowery, seconded by Bob Okrasinski, to approve the minutes of the July 26, 2005 minutes. All Ayes
ITEM 3 A motion was made by Maureen Williams, seconded by Tom Finan, to approve the eligibility of Amanda Ann Austin, from Bishop O’Reilly to Bishop Hoban, in accordance with Article VI, Transfers and Residence, Section 8, of the PIAA By-Laws. All Ayes
ITEM 4 A motion was made by Frank Galicki, seconded by Bill King, to approve the eligibility of Laura Leigh Radziak, from Nanticoke Area to Bishop Hoban, in accordance with Article VI, Transfers and Residence, Section 8, of the PIAA By-Laws. All Ayes
ITEM 5 Chairman Majikes reviewed the material distributed to committee members regarding payment for game workers, official payment fees, and game manager fee recommendations for the 2005-06 school year. Upon review, Maureen Williams asked regarding the fee for site managers for Volleyball. Chairman Majikes will refer the matter to Frank Victor, District II Treasurer. Absent of any other comments, a motion was made by Tom Jenkins, seconded by Mike Costanza, to approve the list for the various fees as submitted with the understanding that the site manager fee for Volleyball will be addressed. All Ayes
ITEM 6 Chairman Majikes reviewed a communication from Tom Smith, Athletic Director of West Scranton High School, thanking the committee for their professionalism, courtesy and genuine compassion exhibited during a recent eligibility hearing involving a student from his school.
ITEM 7 Chairman Majikes reminded all committee members of their responsibility to abstain in voting from all matters that deal directly with their individual school districts.
ITEM 8 A motion was made by Bill King, seconded by Frank Galicki, to name
Montrose as the Sportsmanship Award winner for the 2004-05 school year
representing the Lackawanna League. All Ayes
A motion was made by Tom Finan, seconded by Don Kanavy, to name Wyoming Seminary as the Sportsmanship Award winner for the 2004-05 school year representing the Wyoming Valley Conference. All Ayes
ITEM 9 Chairman Majikes turned the meeting over to Phil Latinski, PIAA District II Advisor, in order to conduct the election of the PIAA District II Officers for the 2005-06 year. In seeking nominations from the floor, Ray Lowery moved that the current slate of officers by retained for 2005-06.
A motion was made by Ray Lowery, seconded by Frank Galicki, that the current slate of officers be retained for 2005-06. All Ayes
The following officers will be in place for 2005-06:
Frank Majikes District II Chairman
Tom Jenkins District II Vice Chairman
Frank Victor District II Treasurer
Mike Ognosky District II Secretary
Chairman Majikes announced that there is a current vacancy on the committee for a Girls’ Athletics representative. Any interested school personnel from a Wyoming Valley Conference member school is asked to send a letter of interest and brief resume to Frank Majikes, District II Chairman. Closing date for letters of interest is October 1, 2005.
ITEM 10 Chairman Majikes reviewed the potential meeting dates for the District II Committee for the 2005-06 school year. After a brief discussion, the committee has set the third Wednesday of each month as the date for the meetings. Chairman Majikes will work through a schedule and have it for the committee’s review at the next meeting.
ITEM 11 Chairman Majikes reviewed the committee assignments for the 2005-06 year and asked all sports chairpersons to have in the necessary information for him as soon as possible.
ITEM 12 INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
a.) State Soccer Issue – Chairman Majikes reviewed the status of the current soccer issue regarding the move to put a single state girls’ soccer championship in the fall. Currently, there are two state championships in girls’ soccer, one in the fall and one in the spring. Individuals have filed in federal court to have a single fall championship and the PIAA is contesting that attempt. In the interim, the situation remains status quo and there will be two championship seasons for 2005-06.
b.) State Dues by Individual Schools – Chairman Majikes reported that there are currently 5 districts across the state that pay the dues for their member schools.
c.) Chairman Majikes distributed a list of changes and amendments to the PIAA By-Laws which became effective on July 1, 2005. Those changes will be in the new handbook that will be available on line. There were a total of 22 changes in the Constitution.
d.) Senate Bill 361 – There is currently legislation proposed in the Senate that will mandate that students enrolled in home education programs have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities in the school district of residence. Currently, local boards have the option of allowing home school students to participate.
e.) House Bill 189 – There is currently legislation proposed in the House that will allow local district board of directors to create policy to exempt from participation in Physical Education classes a student who is participating in interscholastic athletics during the season in which the student is participating.
f.) Steroid Education Material – The state will be distributing to all school districts a pamphlet regarding steroid education to be utilized in the school Health curriculum.
g.) Athletic Director’s Report – The Athletic Director’s committee is again recommending that competitive cheerleading be elevated to sports status. The State Board of Directors voted 14-9 to make that recommendation.
h.) Officials Council – the Officials Council is seriously considering a requirement that any official who would like consideration for a state playoff assignment be mandated to attend the annual officials’ convention by August, 2010.
ITEM 13 Member schools are reminded that their new enrollment figures for the next two year cycle will be due in the PIAA State Office by October 14, 2005. Remember, there is now a $1,000 assessment if the numbers are not submitted on time.
ITEM 14 STATE SPORTS REPORTS:
a.) Baseball/Softball – The State Board of Directors voted to reject the Baseball and Softball committees request to increase the number of baseball and softball games from 20 to 24.
b.) Tennis – The committee recommended that all districts utilize the 3 and 2 format in determining their district champions. That is the same format that is utilized in all state tournament matches. The issue of disqualifications was also discussed and any tennis disqualification from a match will result in a student/athlete missing the next competition – same as in all other sports.
c.) Track – Socks as visible apparel do not have to be uniform in nature with the rest of the track uniform – anything goes.
ITEM 15 The championship starting times in Football and Basketball have been revised for the 2005-06 year as follows:
Football – A Final 1:00 p.m. Friday
AAA Final 7:00 p.m. Friday
AA Final 1:00 p.m. Saturday
AAAA Final 7:00 p.m. Saturday
Basketball- AA Girls Noon Friday
A Boys 2:00 p.m. Friday
AAAA Girls 6:00 p.m. Friday
AAA Boys 8:00 p.m. Friday
A Girls Noon Saturday
AA Boys 2:00 p.m. Saturday
AAA Girls 6:00 p.m. Saturday
AAAA Boys 8:00 p.m. Saturday
ITEM 16 Chairman Majikes reviewed correspondence from Mr. Samuels, Dallas Area Track Coach, thanking the committee for their handling of a very difficult situation that arose during last year’s championships.
ITEM 17 Bill King, Cross Country Chair, asked the committee to consider the utilization of chip timing in the Junior High Championships. Currently, chip timing is utilized for the Varsity Championships. Mr. King will analyze the costs and provide a recommendation at the September meeting.
At 3:30 p.m., the committee moved into an informational session regarding the request for a principal to principal transfer request of Dalen Broussard from Pittston Area to Berwick. Chairman Majikes did not participate in the information hearing, deliberation and voting due to a conflict. Ross Scarantino did not participate in the deliberation and voting due to a conflict. Both principals requested a closed meeting and Vice Chairman Jenkins directed all visitors not directly related to the hearing to leave the meeting. Following the conclusion of the hearing at 4:50 p.m. the following motion was made:
ITEM 18 A motion by Mike Costanza, seconded by Ray Lowery, to approve the eligibility of Dalen Broussard, from Pittston Area to Berwick, in accordance with Article VI, Transfers and Residence, Section 8, of the PIAA By-Laws. All Ayes (except for Majikes and Scarantino abstaining).
At 4:50 p.m., the committee moved into an informational session regarding the request for a principal to principal transfer request of Raphael Rostockfrom Pittston Area to Berwick. Chairman Majikes did not participate in the information hearing,