Meeting was convened at 4:15 p.m. by Chairman Majikes
ITEM 1 Chairman Majikes called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m.
Absent but accounted for: Tom Finan, Ray Lowery, James Marcks, Mike Costanza, Phil Cappellini, Maureen Williams, Dino Galella
ITEM 2 A motion was made by Tom Jenkins, seconded by Jay Starnes, to approve the minutes of the January 16, 2008 meeting (there was no meeting in February). All Ayes
ITEM 3 Frank Victor presented the treasurer’s report. As of March 12, 2008 District II has a total fund balance of $151,349.22. $68,416.92 is located in Certificates of Deposit while $82,932.30 is located in savings and checking accounts. This does not include the final financial accounting of the recently concluded winter championship seasons.
A motion was made by Ross Scarantino, seconded by Rich Walton, to approve the treasurer’s report as presented. All Ayes
ITEM 4 Chairman Majikes discussed with the District II Committee the proposed House Bill 2222 which would amend the School Code and restrict the participation in extracurricular activities for any student adjudicated and convicted of a Drug and Alcohol offense. The committee had numerous questions regarding the logistics of the process and the school’s role in that process.
ITEM 5 Chairman Majikes updated the committee on the expressed interest of
District II member schools in the sport of Lacrosse. As of the date of the
meeting, the only District II school that has registered with the PIAA State Office in both Boys and Girls Lacrosse is Delaware Valley.
ITEM 6 Chairman Majikes explained that the first reading of the proposed brackets for the various state championships for 2008-2010 will be previewed by the State Committee over the upcoming weekend and presented as a first reading to that Committee.
ITEM 7Chairman Majikes distributed a copy of the recent one year transfer sit out that has been approved by the NJSIAA Executive Committee in the state of New Jersey. The rule forces athletes who transfer schools but do not change residence to sit out a full year. It will now go before the entire state committee for action.
ITEM 8 Chairman Majikes then reviewed the latest transfer rule proposal that is under consideration by the PIAA State Committee. Following discussion, the committee instructed the District II representatives to that committee to continue to vote in favor of the proposal.
ITEM 9 The various PIAA Advisory Committees for winter sports will meet at the PIAA Offices on Thursday, March 27th. Basketball (Frank Victor) will meet at 10 a.m.; Swimming (Dave Grecco) will meet at Noon; and, Wrestling (Rich Walton) will meet at 2 p.m.
ITEM 10 Chairman Majikes distributed a news release from the National Federation regarding rules changes for soccer for the 2008-2009 school year. Effective with the 2008-09 season, players will be penalized (yellow card) for violations of illegal equipment rules. These changes will be part of the annual rules interpretations meetings for the season.
ITEM 11 Chairman Majikes distributed a news release from the National Federation regarding rules changes for football for the 2008-2009 school year. These changes will be part of the annual rules interpretations meeting for the season.
ITEM 12 A motion was made by Joe Lalli, seconded by Danielle Adams, to approve the eligibility of Joseph Latona, Holy Redeemer to Wyoming Area, in accordance with Article VI, Transfers, of the PIAA By-Laws. All Ayes
ITEM 13 A motion was made by Jim Higgins, seconded by Frank Galicki, to approve the eligibility of Lattah Price, Valley View to Scranton, in accordance with Article VI, Transfers, of the PIAA By-Laws. All Ayes
At 4:47 p.m. the District II Committee went into Executive Session at the request of a member school, Dunmore, to review concerns regarding participation of college athletes in a Dunmore High School football practice during the week of December 10, 2007.
ITEM 14 At 5:36 p.m., following the hearing and deliberation (NOTE: Bill King did not participate in the deliberation), a motion was made by Frank Victor, seconded by Jay Starnes, to accept the report as submitted by Dunmore High School with no further sanctions or actions on the part of the District II Committee. All Ayes
ITEM 15 A request was made by Rich Walton, Wrestling Chairperson, that the committee review the current fees for game workers at the District Wrestling Championships. After discussion, the committee asked the officers to meet to review the current fees and make a recommendation to the committee for any further action.
ITEM 16 Tom Jenkins (Football Chairperson) reviewed a recent meeting with District IV and XI representatives to discuss the football playoffs for the next two year cycle. Representatives discussed the current enrollment figures and their impact on the structure of the various playoffs. Information will be released to the schools as it becomes available.
ITEM 17 The Committee reviewed the procedures for the Annual Business Meeting and Awards Banquet. Both will be held on April 16th at the Pittston Convention Center with the Business Meeting beginning at 4 p.m. to be followed by the Awards’ Banquet at 6 p.m. Information will be released to the schools in the near future.
ITEM 18 The Committee had initial discussions regarding the Annual Media Award to be announced at the dinner. Various members of the print and television media were discussed as possible nominees for the award. The winner will be announced on the night of the banquet.
ITEM 19 The Committee has scheduled a hearing for the April 9th meeting to discuss an eligibility concern between Scranton High School and Pittston Area High School.
ITEM 20 The Committee has requested that representatives from GAR and Wyoming Area be present at the April 9th meeting in order to provide an update on their current probationary status.
ITEM 21 Chairman Majikes distributed a news release from the PIAA Offices regarding the reduction of maximum number of regular season contests in certain sports. Golf (20 contests to 18), Tennis (20 to 18), Volleyball (24 to 22), Field Hockey (20 to 18), Soccer (20 to 18), Bowling (24 to 22), Wrestling (24 to 22), Swimming (20 to 18), and Basketball (24 to 22) have all had their regular season contests reduced effective July 1, 2008.
ITEM 17 A motion was made by Jim Higgins, seconded by Rich Walton, to adjourn the meeting. All Ayes
Meeting was adjourned at 6:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mike Ognosky
Mike Ognosky
District II Secretary