Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Athletics Policy Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Tipton County Schools reviews TSSAA ejection procedure; board seeks clearer communication and ticketing process
Summary
Board reviewed a proposed procedure tied to TSSAA bylaws that would formalize how ejections are handled and how fines are assessed; no policy vote was required but staff will refine language and strengthen communication.
The Tipton County Schools board reviewed a proposed procedure to implement TSSAA (Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association) bylaws on fan ejections and fines and asked staff to clarify language and communication steps before the next athletic season.
Staff presented the procedure after noting TSSAA Article 3, Section 9 requires schools to respond to fans ejected by officials. Meeting presenters said TSSAA imposes a minimum fine on schools (the meeting cited a minimum $250 fine to schools when fans are ejected under TSSAA rules) and that additional nonmonetary disciplinary actions (probation, bans) can apply. The draft procedure discussed in the meeting also includes language saying a fan who is ejected may not return without meeting with school officials and paying a $200 fine; board members questioned the discrepancy between the $250 fine that TSSAA levies on schools and the $200 amount mentioned for fans, and asked staff to reconcile the language so the district is not left covering TSSAA fines.
Board members suggested measures to increase transparency and enforcement: add the TSSAA visitor-code language to season handbooks and athletic registration packets, post the visitor code of conduct at event entry points similar to clear-bag or facility notices, and require a signed acknowledgement at the start of the season so individuals cannot later claim they were not informed. Board members also discussed enforcement logistics: whether the home school or the visiting school is responsible for a sanctioned fan and how security or SROs would track bans (the meeting discussed a list for gate staff and security to monitor). Staff said the procedure is not a policy but an administrative procedure implementing TSSAA rules; staff agreed to revise language (including the payment and suspension clauses) and to coordinate implementation with athletic directors and school administrators.
The board did not vote on the procedure during the meeting; staff will return with clarified language and recommended posting and communication steps for athletic events.
