PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE WIAA HANDBOOK

The following summary provides a brief description of the proposed amendments. School directors should contact their district athletic director for a complete copy of the amendments as well as an explanation of the rationale behind each proposal. WSSDA IAC positions are noted in red; additional comments were provided by IAC Chair Roger Myers (Stanwood-Camano).

Section 52.6.1 Middle Level Basketball: Presently, seventh- and eighth-graders who earn a position on a junior-high ninth-grade basketball team can participate in only 10 games, while ninth-graders on the same team can play in all 12 scheduled games. This amendment would allow seventh- and eighth-graders to fully participate in all games. (A similar provision already exists for middle level football.)
WSSDA IAC Position: OPPOSE – The majority felt this provided an unfair advantage; rather all have the same opportunity.

Section 8.0.0, 8.3.0 WIAA Executive Board (Qualifications): This amendment would allow a member of the WSSDA IAC — if selected by the WIAA district — to be a voting member of the WIAA Executive Board.
WSSDA IAC Position: SUPPORT

Section 14.0.0, 14.3.1 Forensics (Eighth Grade Participation): This amendment would allow — but not require — eighth-graders to participate in forensic activities. Presently, eighth-graders are not permitted to participate in high school forensic activities.
WSSDA IAC Position: OPPOSE – For younger students, too much travel, overnight events, and traveling w/ older kids.

Section 17.2.0 In Season — Definition: This amendment would allow a high school coach to be involved in a community-level program sponsored in lieu of a middle level sports program, no matter the length of the program. The current rule limits the season to 12 weeks.
WSSDA IAC Position: OPPOSE – Community groups should conform to schools, not vice-versa.

Section 17.4.0 Split Season: This amendment would bring the regulations up to date. There are now alternate seasons, which has eliminated the need to offer a split season.
WSSDA IAC Position: SUPPORT

Section 17.6.7 Out-of-Season: This amendment would give coaches one opportunity to meet with incoming students regarding their participation in high school activities.
WSSDA IAC Position: OPPOSE – The committee would favor if “time frame” were included.

Section 17.24.0, 17.24.1.D Recruiting: This amendment would address the recruitment of student-athletes and would stipulate that recruited students be declared ineligible (for all levels of play) for one full calendar year.
WSSDA IAC Position: The committee endorsed a substitute amendment in which students that have been recruited will be deemed ineligible.

Section 18.15.0 Eighth Grade Participation: This amendment would provide consistency within the “1B” classification. All 1B schools would have the opportunity to draw upon eighth-grade students to participate as needed to salvage high school programs. (All references to “B schools with an enrollment less than 75” would be changed to “1B schools.”)
WSSDA IAC Position: SUPPORT

Section 18.25.0, 18.25.2.B Ejection from a Contest: Presently, a student who has been suspended for a contest could turn out for a sport in another season, remain on the squad only until his suspension has been served, then quit the squad. This violates the intent of the rule. This amendment would require a student who has been suspended and wishes to serve that suspension in another sport to be a member of the team for the entire season of the sport.
WSSDA IAC Position: SUPPORT

Section 23.0.0, 23.1.1 Coaches: This amendment would address the payment of stipends for coaches and advisors by outsider groups, such as booster clubs. It would require that any payments in excess of $100 be approved by the Board of Directors.
WSSDA IAC Position: The committee endorsed a substitute amendment in which coaching stipends and gifts to coaches (also advisors) must be approved by the school board.

Section 24.4.0 Officials (Use of Registered Officials): This amendment would bring track and field programs in alignment with other WIAA sports that require the use of officials registered with the Washington Officials Association. The fees would be determined by the WIAA/WOA Review Committee.
WSSDA IAC Position: The committee endorsed a substitute amendment in which WOA track officials would be required during track meets.

Section 27.0.0, 27.2.5 Rule Violations and Penalties: This amendment would align the WIAA rule with rules currently in place at each WIAA district. It would allow for each subsequent board to review the action of the previous level to determine if the penalty is appropriate and levy additional penalties as deemed appropriate without a member school having to appeal the ruling.
WSSDA IAC Position: SUPPORT

Section 27.0.0, 27.3.0 Rule Violations and Penalties (Use of Ineligible Participant): This amendment would establish a comparable time period in which a student would be ineligible as compensation for the time period that the student competed illegally.
WSSDA IAC Position: SUPPORT

Section 27.5.0, 27.5.6, 27.5.7. 27.5.8 Penalties for Violation: This amendment would eliminate rule 27.5.5, which is one of the few WIAA handbook rules that mandates a specific penalty. The purpose for elimination is to provide leagues, WIAA district boards, the district directors’ appeals board and the WIAA Executive Board with more options in addressing violations.
WSSDA IAC Position: SUPPORT

Section 4.2.0 Classifications (High School Classifications): This amendment would reduce the time limit from eight years to four years for the WIAA to “adjust” the qualifying enrollment standard. (The eight-year time limit establishes only the baseline for each classification. Schools that have enrollment changes may move from one classification to the next in two-year cycles.)
WSSDA IAC Position: SUPPORT

Section 4.2.0 Classifications (High School Classifications): This amendment would require private 1B schools to compete as 2B schools. WSSDA IAC Position: OPPOSE

Section 4.2.0 Classifications (High School Classifications): This amendment would require private 1B schools to use a weighted formula to calculate enrollment.
WSSDA IAC Position: OPPOSE

Section 4.5.0 Classifications for Alternative Schools (Classifications for Alternative Schools in Multiple High School Districts): This amendment would not require out-of-district students enrolled in an alternative school to count against the regular school count. Students attending the alternative school would continue to be eligible at their resident public school district.
WSSDA IAC Position: SUPPORT

Section 18.6.5 Academic Probation Period: This amendment would standardize the probationary period for fall sport athletes.
WSSDA IAC Position: OPPOSE