Share this
Twitter
Myspace
Digg
Del.icio.us
Reddit
Slashdot
Furl
Yahoo
Technorati
Newsvine
Facebook
Export PDF
Print
E-mail
TagsSchool Boards Association willing to accept oversight of agency
BY TOM HESTER SR.
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
In an effort to avoid being dissolved, the highly-criticized New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Wednesday adopted 10 internal reforms, including hiring an independent outside monitor and establishing a written code of ethics.
The agency's Executive Committee unanimously adopted the changes in an attempt to head off legislation proposed by Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Gloucester) who wants to move the oversight of high school athletics to the New Jersey School Boards Association.
The NJSIAA's effort to change the way it operates comes a week after the State Commission on Investigation issued a report that told of wasteful spending of over $800,000 for catering, flowers, dinners, trips and vehicle use. The report also told of sloppy financial practices by the agency.
The Executive Committee approved the hiring of an independent monitor to oversee and improve financial procedures.
It also, among other moves, approved:Creating a code of ethics in cooperation with the National Federation of High School Associations.
An end to the practice of NJSIAA Director Steve Timko signing his own expense vouchers.
Retraining an account manager to gain a stronger background in finance.
Improving the oversight of petty cash, compensation and financial record keeping.
Issuing gasoline credit cards to employees who operate NJSIAA vehicles on official business.
For even more New Jersey sports, visit the NJNR Press Box
Burzichelli is unimpressed by the NJSIAA actions.
"The NJSIAA's latest vow to reform itself would be laughable if this wasn't so serious,'' the Assemblyman said. "We've seen this before. Five years ago the NJSIAA put on a similar public show and grandly promised to reform itself, then spent the next five years ignoring those reforms. I see no reason to believe this time will be any different.
"I support the need for a short-term independent monitor to help with the coming transition away from the NJSIAA,'' Burzichelli said. "But the idea that we would permanently put a monitor in place to hold the NJSIAA's hand and babysit it to guide it toward doing the right thing daily is insulting to New Jersey taxpayers.
"It's often said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results,'' the Assemblyman added. "Well, New Jersey taxpayers cannot afford this insanity anymore and have no reason to trust this agency. The NJSIAA has had its chance. It failed to reform itself and abused the public's trust without regard for the taxpayers. It continues to be time to move in a new direction."
Burzichelli is the author of a law restricting the NJSIAA's ability to raise ticket prices, though the agency attempted several times to circumvent it. He requested the SCI inquiry and is sponsoring legislation with Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney (D-Gloucester) and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex) to merge the NJSIAA into the School Boards Association.
Meanwhile, Sen. Richard Codey (D-Essex) is preparing to introduce legislation that would keep the NJSIAA independent.
In a related development, the director of the School Boards Association announced her organization is willing to accept oversight of the NJSIAA but would want to see certain guidelines included in the legislation.
"While the plan is currently under development, certain factors would be part of the framework,'' Director Maria S. Bilik said.
First, Bilik said, there would be no co-mingling of the finances of an interscholastic sports unit with those of the NJSBA.
Second, any plan would have to provide a seamless transition and ensure that there is no disruption to sports programs in New Jersey.
Third, interscholastic sports would be governed through a dedicated unit, separate from the operations of NJSBA but under the Association's financial oversight.
Fourth, employees of the separate unit and all aspects of its financial operations would be governed by the same laws, regulations and policies with which the School Boards Association complies. These include the state School Ethics Act, the state School District Accountability Act, the state's Accountability Regulations for school districts, the Open Public Meetings Act and the Open Public Records Act. In addition, the separate unit would also comply with NJSBA's financial policies.
"We understand the concerns of the high school sports community over this issue," Bilik said.
"As an advocate for education, NJSBA does not want to see disruption in the current conduct of interscholastic sports. We are cooperating with members of the state Legislature concerning a possible transfer of high school sports oversight to NJSBA. However, we understand that the Legislature may consider alternate proposals."
Bilik continued, "The SCI's report does raise concerns. It criticizes inefficiency and lack of transparency in NJSIAA's financial operations, although it does not take issue with the actual conduct of high school sports in New Jersey.
"Among the SCI's recommendations are three options for restructuring the governance of interscholastic sports. These involve the following: appointment of a fiscal monitor to oversee the NJSIAA; placing the governance of interscholastic sports within the state Department of Education; or consolidating NJSIAA operations under the umbrella of the New Jersey School Boards Association.
Bilik added, "NJSBA did not propose this change in the governance of interscholastic sports. However, if the Legislature and the governor enact (Burzichelli‘s bill) A-3368/S-2329 and the commissioner of education decides to consolidate interscholastic athletic oversight within the school boards association, we would accept the responsibility."
The NJSBA is a non-partisan federation of 588 local boards of education and includes 44 charter school associate members. The NJSBA advocates the interests of school districts, trains local school board members, and provides resources for the advancement of public education.
