Op-ed: WIAA should leave booster club decision up to distric
Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 1:18 am
http://www.thenewstribune.com/548/story/53771.html
WIAA should leave booster club decision up to districts
JAMES CATALINICH
Published: May 3rd, 2007 01:00 AM
Columnist George Will observed that men once built cathedrals, now we erect sport stadiums. His remark reflects the prominent place of sport in our culture. We have seen evidence of his observation in the amount of publicity generated about the disclosure that a coach in Bellevue received $60,000 from a booster club. The WIAA representative assembly recently adopted an amendment requiring that stipends and gifts to a coach exceeding $500 in a season must be approved by the school’s board of directors.
The adopted amendment does not address the substantive issue regarding compensation. It’s questionable whether the WIAA has the authority to require such a report. The amendment is redundant because stipends from booster clubs can be addressed through policies adopted by districts in their respective union contracts and employee handbooks. There is also the unintended consequence of students being penalized for the actions of adults.
In the ideal world, a beginning math, science, or English teacher would earn $60,000. In such a world, our newspapers would publish headlines and articles when a district hired an exemplary teacher. Instead, newspapers herald the hiring of new coaches.
A new coach is greeted with the high expectations of the school community that this may be the hire that will lead the program to new heights. Success is measured by wins, losses and postseason appearances, even though this is not the intended purpose of interscholastic activities.
Some parents have expectations of college scholarships even though there is 12 times more money available for students who achieve academic success. The amount of money received by the Bellevue coach should be no surprise considering the emphasis placed on sports at all levels, whether professional or amateur.
The issue is whether or not $60,000 is reasonable compensation for the duties required of a coach, including meeting community expectations. This question should be a local matter. This issue is best resolved through negotiations between school districts and their labor groups.
A school district can also resolve this matter through the process of adopting local policies regarding compensation. Compensation is a local labor matter and should not involve the WIAA.
Groups that solicit money are regulated by state law. Groups must register with the office of the secretary of state. Questions or concerns regarding fundraising and distribution of money are to be referred to the state attorney general’s office. There is nothing in the statute that gives rule-making authority to a private organization, such as the WIAA, over a group that solicits money.
School districts should consider working with the attorney general’s office or their respective state legislators if there is a concern about economic disparities caused by booster clubs.
Coaching stipends paid by school districts are approved by their local school board of directors. Many groups that solicit money for school activities agree to do so under the constitutions of their school’s associated student body groups. Fundraising and disbursement of funds must comply with ASB rules. School board directors have constructive notice of these economic activities. In addition, ASB expenditures are audited by the office of the state auditor. The WIAA amendment to a large degree is redundant.
There are those groups that solicit money for school activities that choose to operate outside the control of ASB rules and regulations. Suppose a group disperses money to a coach without school board approval. Suppose a coach accepts the money even though a board of directors disapproves.
A school district could exercise employee discipline depending on its labor contracts and/or employee policies. Nevertheless, the issue still remains, a WIAA rule was violated.
A school that violates a WIAA rule must self-report the violation to its league. The school can be subject to a fine, probation, restriction, suspension, or expulsion. Is it fair to punish students through their schools for decisions based on economic self-interest made by adults?
The WIAA has a duty to supervise activities, but the Bellevue disclosure is a compensation issue. School districts have the authority to enact rules and regulations for their employees. The state has regulations regarding groups that solicit. The state auditor conducts audits of ASB operations. Local school districts and the state are the rule-making entities that have the authority to enact regulations if constituents believe the Bellevue disclosure is beyond newsworthy and is in fact a significant matter.
WIAA should leave booster club decision up to districts
JAMES CATALINICH
Published: May 3rd, 2007 01:00 AM
Columnist George Will observed that men once built cathedrals, now we erect sport stadiums. His remark reflects the prominent place of sport in our culture. We have seen evidence of his observation in the amount of publicity generated about the disclosure that a coach in Bellevue received $60,000 from a booster club. The WIAA representative assembly recently adopted an amendment requiring that stipends and gifts to a coach exceeding $500 in a season must be approved by the school’s board of directors.
The adopted amendment does not address the substantive issue regarding compensation. It’s questionable whether the WIAA has the authority to require such a report. The amendment is redundant because stipends from booster clubs can be addressed through policies adopted by districts in their respective union contracts and employee handbooks. There is also the unintended consequence of students being penalized for the actions of adults.
In the ideal world, a beginning math, science, or English teacher would earn $60,000. In such a world, our newspapers would publish headlines and articles when a district hired an exemplary teacher. Instead, newspapers herald the hiring of new coaches.
A new coach is greeted with the high expectations of the school community that this may be the hire that will lead the program to new heights. Success is measured by wins, losses and postseason appearances, even though this is not the intended purpose of interscholastic activities.
Some parents have expectations of college scholarships even though there is 12 times more money available for students who achieve academic success. The amount of money received by the Bellevue coach should be no surprise considering the emphasis placed on sports at all levels, whether professional or amateur.
The issue is whether or not $60,000 is reasonable compensation for the duties required of a coach, including meeting community expectations. This question should be a local matter. This issue is best resolved through negotiations between school districts and their labor groups.
A school district can also resolve this matter through the process of adopting local policies regarding compensation. Compensation is a local labor matter and should not involve the WIAA.
Groups that solicit money are regulated by state law. Groups must register with the office of the secretary of state. Questions or concerns regarding fundraising and distribution of money are to be referred to the state attorney general’s office. There is nothing in the statute that gives rule-making authority to a private organization, such as the WIAA, over a group that solicits money.
School districts should consider working with the attorney general’s office or their respective state legislators if there is a concern about economic disparities caused by booster clubs.
Coaching stipends paid by school districts are approved by their local school board of directors. Many groups that solicit money for school activities agree to do so under the constitutions of their school’s associated student body groups. Fundraising and disbursement of funds must comply with ASB rules. School board directors have constructive notice of these economic activities. In addition, ASB expenditures are audited by the office of the state auditor. The WIAA amendment to a large degree is redundant.
There are those groups that solicit money for school activities that choose to operate outside the control of ASB rules and regulations. Suppose a group disperses money to a coach without school board approval. Suppose a coach accepts the money even though a board of directors disapproves.
A school district could exercise employee discipline depending on its labor contracts and/or employee policies. Nevertheless, the issue still remains, a WIAA rule was violated.
A school that violates a WIAA rule must self-report the violation to its league. The school can be subject to a fine, probation, restriction, suspension, or expulsion. Is it fair to punish students through their schools for decisions based on economic self-interest made by adults?
The WIAA has a duty to supervise activities, but the Bellevue disclosure is a compensation issue. School districts have the authority to enact rules and regulations for their employees. The state has regulations regarding groups that solicit. The state auditor conducts audits of ASB operations. Local school districts and the state are the rule-making entities that have the authority to enact regulations if constituents believe the Bellevue disclosure is beyond newsworthy and is in fact a significant matter.