FHSAA Eligibility and Compliance

1. FHSAA Eligibility and Compliance Allegations And Investigations Florida High School Athletic Association

2. Focus Self Reporting Final Report FHSAA Actions Corrective Actions Media • Procedures • Process • School’s onus • Preliminary Report Florida High School Athletic Association

3. Allegations Bylaw 10.3 Florida High School Athletic Association

4. Types of Allegations • Anonymous • Signed by non-school representative • Signed by school representative Florida High School Athletic Association

5. Allegation Procedure • Determine Author • School representative or non-school representative. • Intent of Author • Credible information • Allegations with direct content and specific information are deemed credible. Florida High School Athletic Association

6. Allegation Process • Anonymous and vague allegations • Forward allegation to the school with no actions taken by this office (inclusive of a warning in regards to continued allegations warranting an investigation). • Credible allegations • Forward to school with inquiries which necessitates (time sensitive) response. • Prompt school to initiate an internal investigation. • If necessary, school provides corrective actions. • Conduct a formal investigation. Florida High School Athletic Association

7. School’s Responsibility • Control its interscholastic athletic programs by FHSAA rules and regulations .(B2.5) • Responsibility for control rests with the principal . (B3.5.1) • Responsibility for control of a school’s interscholastic athletic programs extends to and includes the education of, responsibility for and control over the actions of the school’s administration, faculty, athletic staff, student-athletes, student body, and any other individual or group engaged in activities representing, supporting or promoting the athletic interests of the school. (B3.5.1.1) Florida High School Athletic Association

8. Investigations Policy 37 Florida High School Athletic Association

9. Compliance • 2.6 COMPLIANCE WITH RULES Each school must comply with all applicable FHSAA rules. The FHSAA will assist schools in their efforts to achieve full compliance with all rules and will establish fair procedures for addressing alleged or identified failures in compliance. A school found to have violated FHSAA rules will be subject to such disciplinary and corrective actions as may be determined to be appropriate by the Association. • 3.5.2 Compliance with Rules. A member school must comply with all bylaws and other rules of the Association. The school must monitor its athletic programs to assure compliance with all bylaws and regulations must identify and report to the FHSAA Office instances in which compliance has not been achieved, and must take appropriate corrective actions regarding such instances of non-compliance. Staff members, student-athletes and other individuals and groups representing, supporting or promoting the school’s athletic interests must comply with applicable bylaws and rules. The school is responsible for such compliance. • 3.5.2.2 Cooperation with Association. A member school must fully cooperate in the investigation of any alleged violation of the bylaws or other rules of the Association. A school that refuses to permit the interview of any individual, to grant access to and inspection of pertinent records, to submit relevant information to the Association upon request, or otherwise interferes with or obstructs the investigation, will be in violation of this provision. Florida High School Athletic Association

10. Self Report • Once the school identifies a violation, the report should include: • Identify and list the bylaws and/or policies that have been violated; • Provide a description of the circumstances leading to the reported violation; • Provide the name of the student and/or coach (if applicable); • List the contests in which the student participated (if applicable) • State any corrective actions taken by the school to deter this situation from happening again in the school's athletic program. • Selfreport@fhsaa.org Florida High School Athletic Association

11. Preliminary Investigation • Determine if school’s internal investigation and corrective actions were thorough and sufficient. • Did the school acknowledge a violation? • What were the corrective actions? • School’s corrective actions in lieu of penalties assessed by the association? Florida High School Athletic Association

12. Investigative Procedures • Once an investigation is launched: • FHSAA assigns staff or an investigative consultant. • School is notified in writing. • School shall notify students and parents/legal guardians. • School will be informed of specific inquires/allegations. Florida High School Athletic Association

13. Investigation • Policy 37.4.6.2 Responsibility to Cooperate. • Individuals who choose to not cooperate with the investigative process may impact student participation in interscholastic contests(refusing to cooperate voids their consent to participate as outlined in the EL3 form). • Investigators are required to meet statutory standards. • School records, documents and any pertinent information will be reviewed (financial, email…). • Interviews conducted on or off campus. • FHSAA rep or school rep must be present for on campus interviews. • Parent/legal guardian must be present for off campus interviews. • Consultants interview hours: 9am-7pm. Florida High School Athletic Association

14. Actions • Corrective Actions • Develop protocol to ensure the violation does not occur again. • FHSAA Actions • Probation • Fines • Compliance Seminar (on/off campus) Florida High School Athletic Association

15. Findings • Preliminary Findings • Allows the school to respond • Present any additional information and formulate a written plan (corrective). • Final Findings • Written account of actions taken by the FHSAA and penalties assessed to the school. Florida High School Athletic Association

16. Media • Media/General Public • Public records request. • Redact student names, but all other information is given. Florida High School Athletic Association

17. Contact Information Natalie Strappy (Director of Compliance) nstrappy@fhsaa.org (352) 372-9551 ext. 230 Showing the way: Mentorship. Education. Service Florida High School Athletic Association