BLOOMINGTON — The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors met for its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at the IHSA office in Bloomington, where the Board approved four action items.
Action items
1. The Board of Directors approved a recommendation to return all IHSA Town Hall/Principals Rule Meetings to in-person meetings beginning in 2024-25. The IHSA moved the meetings online during the pandemic and has offered a mix of in-person and virtual meeting options since.
2. The Board approved a recommendation to include a definition for a “full-time employee” in the IHSA Handbook in response to an amendment to IHSA By-law 3.031.4 that was approved via an all-school vote during the IHSA legislative process in December 2023. The by-law change takes effect on July 1, 2024. The IHSA Handbook definition for a full-time employee is as follows: “Full Time Employee: A staff member employed and compensated by a district who works thirty-five (35) or more hours per week for the district during the school year.”
3. The Board of Directors approved a recommendation to dissolve the boys wrestling cooperative agreement between Belvidere North High School and Belvidere High School beginning with the 2025 season due to increased participation at both schools.
4. The Board approved a recommendation to reemploy the Assistant Executive Directors, Director of Information Technology, and Executive Assistant.
Appeals and eligibility rulings
1. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Clinton High School. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.042.
2. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep Academy in Chicago. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.040 and its sub-sections.
3. The Board did not grant an accommodation request to a student from Lake View High School in Chicago. The student has requested an accommodation to IHSA By-law 3.060.
4. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights. The student was ruled ineligible in accordance with IHSA By-law 3.047.
5. The Board modified the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Mascoutah High School. The student was seeking an accommodation to IHSA By-law 3.022. The initial request was denied, but upon receiving new information, the Board granted the accommodation and the student has immediate varsity eligibility.
Discussion items
At each meeting of the Board of Directors, there are certain items the Board discusses, but upon which no action is taken. The following is a report of those items from the April 9, 2024, agenda:
1. IHSA Director of Information Technology Matt Jensen provided an update on the IHSA’s online transfer eligibility management system that is in development. The IHSA hopes to test the system with select schools this spring and implement it for all schools for the 2024-25 school year.
2. The Board commended the 26 students who were selected to the 2024 IHSA Academic All-State Team and were honored at a banquet in Bloomington on April 8.
3. The Board discussed student seating at the IHSA Basketball State Finals. The Board recognized the winners of the 2023-24 Student Section and Spirt Showdown presented by the IHSA Student Advisory Committee. The state champion in Class 1A/2A was Marquette Catholic High School in Alton, and the 3A/4A champ was Riverside-Brookfield High School.
4. The Board heard an update on the 2024 Dr. Marty Hickman IHSA Foundation Golf Outing that is scheduled for June 11 at The Den at Fox Creek in Bloomington. Registration is near capacity, so individuals interested in golfing are encouraged to register soon. Register here.
5. The Board recognized fellow Board member, De La Salle Institute Principal Tom Schergen, on being announced as a part of the 2024 Girls Catholic Athletic Conference (GCAC) Hall of Fame class.
6. The Executive Director provided an update on the annual NFHS Legal Meeting, which will be held April 11-12 at the NFHS office in Indianapolis.
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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.
