KHSSL

KHSSL BOARD MINUTES

JUNE 4, 2005

GARRETT CONFERENCE CENTER 212

The meeting was called to order by Jace Lux. The following members were absent:

Kathy Bacelieri
Corbett Mullins
Tara Tuttle
Jill Shoulta

The first order of business was the reading and approval of the minutes. One correction in the old minutes was noted by Jace Lux concerning changing the phrase  14 schools for senior high pre-qualifying to the correct number. The minutes were approved as changed.

All items of old business from the 2004 meeting were addressed that had been tabled for a year and the membership surveyed at the 2005 KHSSL State Tournaments.

The first issue concerned the voting to allow junior high school students to triple. The survey taken at state was 18 in favor, 10 against, and 2 abstaining. Carter Lasure moved to allow tripling at the Junior High State Tournament. Jim Combs seconded the motion. The motion passed with 6 in favor, none against and two abstentions.

The second issue under old business concerned reducing the number of schools needed for a junior high tournament to be a pre-qualifying tournament for State from 12 to 8 for the top six in each event and 7 to 5 schools for the top three in each event to pre-qualify. The survey of members showed 22 in favor, 5 against and 3 undecided. It was noted that the actually number of entries in each event (20) would not be reduced. Beth Randolph made the motion to allow this change in the rules. It was seconded by Jim Combs. Seven members were in favor of the motion, none against and one abstained.

The third issue under old business concerned reducing the number of schools needed for a senior high tournament to be a pre-qualifying tournament for State from *15 to 10* for the top six in each event and *9 to 7* for the top three in each event to pre-qualify. The survey of coaches showed 27 in favor, 2 against and 3 unsure. It was noted that the number of legitimate competitors in each event would remain at 20. Dustin Combs made the motion to reduce the number of schools needed for pre qualifying for KHSSL State. Jim Combs seconded the motion. Five members voted in favor, none against and two abstained.

The fourth issue under old business was the survey to remove black books from senior high duo interpretation. The survey of coaches showed 22 in favor, seven against and 2 not sure. Jim Combs made the motion to remove the use of black books in senior high duo interpretation. Dustin Combs second the motion. The motion to remove black books from senior high duo interpretation but to keep other rules concerning movement, etc. the same passed with 5 for, 2 against and one abstention.

Several items were discussed under new business.

Judy Woodring presented a lengthy financial report for approval. All debits and credits were included for the entire year and a complete University printout of all transactions was made available.

Two individuals were nominated for the Hall of Fame: Carol D. Combs and Carol A. Combs. Jim Combs moved to accept both nominees to be inducted at the 2006 KHSSL State Senior High Tournament. Jennifer Dunnaway seconded the motion. The vote was 7 for, none against, and Dustin Combs abstained due to the fact that one of that one of the nominees is his mother.

Additions to the Handbook were approved. Those additions include adding the Constitution, adding the Hall of Fame nomination form as well as some corrections in grammar.

The Board reviewed the proposed 05-06 tournament schedule and discussed regional dates. All dates will be posted on the KHSSL website by August 1^st .

The Board requested that the Director of the Governor s Cup competition be contacted regarding conflicts with KHSSL Regionals. Judy Woodring volunteered to write a letter to the organization suggesting that conflicting dates be avoided.

To legally protect the league from violation of intellectual property laws, the removal of the words  novel and short story in Dou Interpretation, Solo Acting, HI and DI rules was removed from the Handbook by the Board. Coaches may still use these sources but will do so at their own legal risks if legally challenged by the author or publisher of the material. This does not prohibit the use of novels and stories in these categories but removes the Board from any legal responsibility. The motion was made by Jim Combs to adhere to the legal aspects of intellectual property law by removing the words  novel and short story from the description of these events. Beth Randolph seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

Staff changes for KHSSL for 05-06 were noted. Chris Chandler has been hired as tournament coordinator to replace Jace Lux. Jace, who just completed his degree, will teach three classes and coach. As of June 5, 2005, Mr. Chandler will be answering all e-mails and taking care of League correspondence and tournaments. Judy Woodring remains as the Executive Director. Glenn Prince, a newly hired debate coach at WKU, will be assisting Doug Mory with debate at the 06 State Debate Tournament.

KHSSL website changes were discussed and viewed by some members via computer. It was noted that the changes will make the process of finding information easier for coaches.

Dustin Combs requested that the new registration form have a place for home phone or cell phone numbers but that the numbers not be published on the website. No formal motion was taken but it was generally agreed that this would be a good idea for the 05-06 registration forms.

Discussion of Super Saturday Workshops revealed a very positive response for those attending. The dates and locations of the workshops will be posted as soon as the WKU Forensic Team schedule is solidified as the WKU coaches and team members are needed for the workshops.

Other new business concerned initiating a $25 fine for all judges who do not attend the Friday workshop for judges at KHSSL State, unless excused by Judy Woodring. Jim Combs made the motion for the initiating the $25 fine. The motion passed by an unanimous vote.

Due to the large number of substitute judges reported and unreported at registration at KHSSL State, the motion was made by Carter Lasure to fine $25 for every judge substituted at registration or the morning of the tournament. This motion passed with an unanimous vote by all members. Note: Substitutions can be made the day prior to the beginning of the tournament without penalty. It was the hope of the Board that this would encourage coaches to contact judges early as well as train judges prior to bringing them to State.

Carter Lasure made the motion to disqualify all students from any school if fines for drops, substitutions, etc. aren t made by the end of the third round. The motion passed unanimously.

Note: Coaches can write personal checks for fees owed and that check will be held until a school check is sent. The check will be held for one month.

Judy Woodring volunteered to hold an additional judges training session during the opening ceremony for any judges who felt they needed more training prior to judging. That meeting will be held in GCC 219.

The motion was made by Beth Randolph and seconded by Stephanie Smith to allow schools to send written complaints with documentation to the League office for all judges demonstrating an inability to judge properly or fairly. The Board, with proper proof, may strike a given judge from judging Regionals or State Tournaments. This policy, however, will not be honored without proper documentation and for serious infractions. The complaint form can be found on the KHSSL Website and will contain the name of the person making the complaint, a description of the violation/problem, proper documentation of the situation (ballot, etc.), name of the judge and the school the judge represented. The Board unanimously voted for this motion.

After a lengthy discussion based upon current numbers of entries for both junior and senior high regional tournaments, the Board voted to realign the Regions in order to better balance the number of entries. The following is a list of the newly formed regions, each county listed in that Region as well as the Regional Tournament Director/site. (Chris, list the name of the region, all the counties in the Region, Regional contact person(s) AND SHOW HOW THE NUMBER DISTRIBUTION IS CHANGED by listing the 2005 numbers in comparison to the 2006 proposed numbers).

The Board noted the resignation of Michael Delaney as a senior representative from the Murray Region and Jen Taylor as his replacement. Jen is the new coach at Calloway Co. High School.

Jim Combs read some general concerns about KHSSL debate rules being violated by negative debaters  doing rebuttal during their constructive speeches and using cross examination for more than clarifying issues. Judy Woodring pointed out that negative debaters are supposed to rebut the affirmative case during their constructive as well as develop a counter value/criteria so she did not know how to respond to the concern being expressed. She also pointed out that the assumption that cross examination was to be used ONLY to clarify issues was also incorrect as cross-examination is used to probe into the logic, evidence and reasoning of the affirmative position and, when possible, expose weaknesses as well as establish a basis for negative rebuttal arguments. Since neither Mr. Combs or Mrs. Woodring could fully understand the nature of the suggestions being made, Mrs. Woodring suggested that the person or persons making the suggestions contact someone at Western for clarification and discussion. She also noted that a debate workshop is held during the Super Saturdays and welcomes all questions/concerns for clarification.

Jim Combs suggested that the Board make a supplement to the Handbook for all new coaches. The supplement would contain information about fundraising, support groups and tips for coaching. Judy Woodring moved that Mr. Combs chair such a venture and appoint others to assist. It was further suggested that data be collected throughout the 05-06 season and that Mr. Combs could present the supplement for approval at the June 2006 meeting. It was the unanimous decision of the Board to attempt the supplement to the Handbook.

The meeting adjourned at 12:45 p.m.