The Alabama High School Athletic Association Central Board of Control for the second straight year has approved returning $1.2 million to its member schools under its Revenue Sharing Plan. The action was taken Wednesday at its annual summer meeting in Montgomery. The AHSAA Legislative Council also met Wednesday.
This plan, approved by the Central Board in 2009, will return a total of $2.4 million to its member schools in two years. The formula for the distribution of funds includes a differential between classifications and the number of sports played by non-football-playing schools.
“I want to thank the Central Board leadership that enables the Association to return these funds back to our schools,” said Executive Director Steve Savarese, who made the initial proposal to the Board.
The plan returns excess funds back to the schools when the AHSAA has at least one year’s working capital in reserve.
The Central Board placed an additional $1 to playoff tickets earlier this decade to generate funds for the new AHSAA office building in Montgomery. Since the building mortgage has been paid off, the additional $1 is now directed to the Revenue Sharing Plan.
In addition, for the 19th consecutive year, the Central Board voted to waive annual dues for member high schools and junior high/middle schools.
Also, the Board voted to eliminate entry fees for state championship events (finals) that require an admission.
In other Board action:
· Denied Pell City High School’s appeal of an eligibility ruling based on a violation of the Recruiting Rule.
· Approved the assessment of all Central Board meeting expenses to a member school that requires a hearing at an unscheduled meeting and loses its appeal.
· Approved the requirement of a minimum two registered officials for all indoor and outdoor track meets. This applies for all levels of competition. Fees will be a maximum of $50 per day.
· Approved the financial reports for the spring championship sports of soccer, softball, baseball and track.
· Reviewed and approved the new Handbook, Fall Sports book and the Winter Sports book.
· Approved the 2010-11 audits and 2011-12 budgets of the AHSAA and the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association.
· Reviewed the new ethics law as it relates to providing free athletic event tickets to public school administrators and teachers.
· Welcomed new board members Richard Brown of Beauregard, Johnny Hardin of Hackleburg and Brenda Mayes of Muscle Shoals along with the new officers, president Luke Hallmark of Marengo County Schools and vice-president Larry Morris of Scottsboro City Schools.
· Recognized Coach Marty Smith for his service to the AHSAA as a staff member of the Bruno Event Team, which coordinates state championship evnets and the corporate partner program.
Action by the AHSAA Legislative Council, which met in the afternoon:
· Heard a review of the Central Board action.
· Reviewed and approved the new Handbook, Fall Sports book and the Winter Sports book.
· Reviewed the District Board appeals procedure.