At Summer Meeting Wednesday

$1.2 Million In Revenue Sharing, 5-Year Strategic Plan Approved By AHSAA Central Board of Control

        The Alabama High School Athletic Association Central Board of Control for the third straight year 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 Central Board also approved a five-year Strategic Plan that was developed by a special Strategic Plan Committee headed by distinguished educator Dr. Paul Fanning.  

        The AHSAA Legislative Council also met Wednesday.

        The Revenue Sharing Plan, approved first by the Central Board in 2009, has returned $3.6 million to its member schools in three years. The formula for the distribution of funds includes a differential between classifications and the number of sports played by non-football-playing schools. The plan returns excess funds back to the schools when the AHSAA has at least one year’s working capital in reserve.

        The differential this year was reduced between classifications to provide a larger share to the AHSAA’s smaller member schools. Also, for the 20^th consecutive year, the Central Board voted to waive membership dues to all member schools – a cost savings of more than $75,000 annually.

        The Strategic Plan Committee was chaired by Albertville High School Principal Paul McAbee along with vice-chair, Robert Harris, principal at Springville High School. The committee included a broad-based representation from within the AHSAA’s member groups. It began work in July 2011 and the Strategic Plan was approved for 2012-2017 by the Central Board.

        “I want to thank the Central Board and Strategic Plan Committee for their strong leadership,” said Executive Director Steve Savarese. “Returning another $1.2 million to our schools is certainly important to the financial well being of our schools. The Strategic Plan also now gives the AHSAA specific goals and direction and insures the success of our organization for years to come.”

        The board also approved changing to area play in soccer in Class 1A-4A and 6A. The move reduces long travel for member schools. It also extends the state playoffs by one contest and reduces the regular season by two contests in Class 1A-4A. Class 6A moved to the extended playoff format last season though it remained in section play. Class 5A, which has fewer soccer-playing schools and is already in smaller groups, will remain in section play for the 2013 season.

In other Central Board action:

– Approved the financial reports for the spring championships in soccer, softball, baseball and track. Attendance and revenue was up from 2011 in each sport.

– Reviewed and approved the new Handbook, and the Fall, Winter and Spring Sports Books.

– Approved the 2012-13 budgets for the AHSAA and the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association and the 2011-12 audits for each group.

– Approved a Consent and Release Form that must be signed by all student-athletes and their parents beginning in 2012-13.

– Approved the implementation of District Compliance Officers to assist in school audits.

– Approved the AHSAA’s social media plan of providing more timely information through a new Twitter account. The AHSAA account can be accessed by following @ahsaaupdate.

– Welcomed new board members Jamie Riggs of T.R. Miller, Richard Robertson of Andalusia, Keith Bender of Oneonta, Cathy Trimble of Francis Marion, Myra Miles of Hoover, Robert Harris of Springville, Ike Grant of Valley and Al Rauls of Buckhorn. 

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.