Senate Advances Florida Bill To Revamp High School Sports

April 23, 2013 /
Miami Herald

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/04/23/3359272/senate-advances-controversial.html

Proponents of the Florida High School Athletic Association are on their defensive heels as those trying to revamp how high school sports are managed in Florida are driving with the ball as the clock runs down.

The Senate Education Committee voted 5-2 on Monday in favor of a measure (SB 1164) that would overhaul the FHSAA and eventually replace it with something else yet to be designed. The Senate bill was amended Monday to match the House version of the legislation, improving chances for passage.

The amended bill places new restrictions on investigations, alters the makeup of the FHSAA board of directors by including charter school, home school and non-public school members and abolishes the organization in July 2017.

Backers of the change say the reorganization is needed, claiming the FHSAA has an arbitrary authority and that it has gone too far in investigating student eligibility.

Bill sponsor Sen. Kelli Stargel addressed criticism that the bill, in reducing oversight, invites mischief.

“This bill does not allow free agency, does not allow recruiting, it doesn’t not legislate cheating,” said Stargel, R-Lakeland.

FHSAA supporters, including many coaches, school district officials and private school administrators, claim the changes will create “chaos” as some schools become sports magnets. They say it will invite frequent transfers, and force administrators and teachers to continually readjust academic plans for students who jump campus to campus.

The committee support was the first step in the Senate for the bill.

The Senate proposal has one more committee stop and Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, said Monday he expects his Rules Committee will have time to meet again.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/04/23/3359272/senate-advances-controversial.html#storylink=cpy


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