2025 Representative Assembly passes five bylaw amendments
Posted: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 - 12:02 PM
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. --- The addition of 9th Grade Governance took another step toward full implementation when the Minnesota State High School League’s Representative Assembly approved five bylaw amendments during its meeting on Tuesday, May 13 at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest.
In five separate votes, the 44-member legislative body that was present approved the proposed amendments to the 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 series of bylaws that are the guiding mandates in the League’s Handbook. These amended bylaws reflect the adjustments required when adding governance of all 9th grade programming to the League. Before reaching the Representative Assembly, the proposed bylaw amendments were created and recommended by a 9th Grade Governance Task Force and League Staff. And prior to approval by the Representative Assembly, which is made up of three delegates from each of the League’s 16 administrative regions, the Board of Directors approved the full series of bylaws to advance to the Representative Assembly.
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The Bylaw 100 Series addresses General Eligibility Bylaws that provide direction to Member School officials in the administration of student eligibility for all students. The bylaws include Grade Level Eligibility, Enrollment, Credit Requirement, Scholastic Eligibility, Seasons of Participation, Semesters Enrolled and Transfer and Residence.
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The Bylaw 200 Series addresses Student Eligibility including Code of Responsibilities and Transfer of Enrollment.
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The Bylaw 300 Series provides information on the Administration of Student Eligibility.
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The Bylaw 400 Series outlines the Administration of Athletic Programs including Coaching Requirements and Eligible Officials.
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The Bylaw 500 Series covers Interscholastic Athletic Activities under the governance of the League. These bylaws address items such as maximum number of contests and daily and season team and individual participation limits in 23 athletic activities. These rules are in place to ensure the fairness of competition and the health and safety of students.
“To make this kind of change requires a significant amount of time, a number of amendment considerations and looking at multiple processes,” said Board of Directors President Don Peschel, the superintendent of the Sauk Centre Public Schools. “At the same time, we believe the time is now and our Member Schools are ready for this change.”
One final step remains before implementation may commence in the 2025-2026 school year.
The League’s Board of Directors must approve the policies that support the bylaws along with a Glossary of Terms that will assist users in accurately implementing these bylaws. That is expected during their final meeting of the current school year on Tuesday, June 3.
The League will become the final state association to administer and govern all ninth graders and the programs in which they participate.
“The addition of all 9th grade participants to the League’s governance is one of the most impactful decisions that our Member Schools have made in many years,” said League Executive Director Erich Martens. “It not only brings us into alignment with other state associations, but more importantly, it also brings additional consistency of governance across all 9th through 12th grade programs, as well as insurance coverages for all ninth-grade activities.”
A year ago, the Representative Assembly received an update from League Staff on potential future action to expand League governance to include all participating 9th Graders. A month later, the League’s Board of Directors approved a proposed amendment that sought to fully include 9th grade programs in all aspects of the League. In October, the Member Schools voted overwhelmingly in favor of supporting Constitutional changes that would create a path to the addition of 9th Grade Governance.
“We are absolutely pleased to be going in this direction,” said Chisago Lakes High School Activities Director Jodi Otte, a Region 7AA delegate.
“This entire process is really well thought out,” said Redwood Valley High School Activities Director Andy Ourada, a Region 3A delegate. “With regard to what we voted on today, it was time. It just makes sense. Our ninth-graders need to be protected and to receive support from the League.”
